LIVINGSTON, MT, USA
N7296J
PIPER PA-28-140
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT TREE TOP LEVEL OVER A TREE COVERED MOUNTAINOUS AREA SOUTH OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA. THE PRIVATE PLT WAS MAKING SEVERAL PASSES OVER MILITARY UNITS CONDUCTING SUMMER CAMP TRAINING EXERCISES, WHEN THE THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'BUZZED' TREE TOPS SEVERAL TIMES. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE.
THE POOR JUDGEMENT DISPLAYED BY THE PILOT WHEN HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE AT EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PULL-UP REQUIRED AND STRUCK TREES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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