What Went Wrong?

Monday, June 20, 2022 at 06:33 PM ET

Verified

The sectional chart excerpt at left depicts the three routes relevant to this flight’s outcome. In black is the direct route between Billings and Powell. Orange depicts the original plan. The pink route is the one estimated to have actually been flown, until the airplane collided with terrain about two-thirds of the way toward the destination.

Key Takeaways:

A pilot experienced a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and VFR-into-IMC accident at night due to a chain of errors, including deviating from his flight plan and incorrectly programming his GPS in mountainous terrain.
Despite the severe crash and overnight exposure to deep snow, the pilot survived by applying skills learned weeks prior at a winter survival clinic, effectively using his aircraft's survival kit for warmth and signaling.
The incident highlights critical lessons: the importance of meticulous flight planning, correct use of navigation technology, maintaining situational awareness, and being adequately prepared with survival gear and clothing for potential emergencies.

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Every year, the Montana Department of Transportation Aviation Division offers its well-attended and comprehensive Surratt Memorial Winter Survival Clinic. Just about every pilot who has attended raves about the experience, and, thankfully, the majority in attendance will never have to apply the survival skills outlined at the clinic. Little did one pilot know that only weeks after his attendance at the clinic would he be neck-deep in snow, fighting for his life.

It was a crisp, late March evening in Billings, Mont., when the 18-year-old pilot intended to knock out some solo cross-country and night requirements for his commercial pilot certificate. He planned to head south to Powell, Wyo., about 60 nm south-southwest of Billings, and return. The pilot thought he might even be able to squeeze in some night landings once back at Billings.