The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include low ceilings, snow, rain, and rising, mountainous/hilly terrain.
— NTSB Determination
The aircraft, which departed Helena, Montana, en route to Sheridan, Wyoming, entered an area of rising terrain located just south of Fort Smith, Montana. At the time the aircraft entered the area, there were variable low ceilings, snow, and rain. As the aircraft continued to the south, in an area where the distance between the mountainous/hilly terrain and the cloud base diminished, the aircraft impacted a gently up-sloping grassy ridge.
The aircraft, which departed Helena, Montana, en route to Sheridan, Wyoming, entered an area of rising terrain located just south of Fort Smith, Montana. At the time the aircraft entered the area, there were variable low ceilings, snow, and rain. As the aircraft continued to the south, in an area where the distance…
The accident on 2000-04-29 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N216BC, at Fort Smith, MT.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include low ceilings, snow, rain, and rising, mountainous/hilly terrain.
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