Piper PA-18-150 N40561 accident near Garrett, Wyoming

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting low-level altitude operations, following an encounter with wake turbulence.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during an animal damage control mission, while maneuvering at a low altitude over wildlife, the airplane encountered “rough, disturbed air,” which he counteracted by leveling the wings pushing the nose down slightly. As the airplane began to fly out of the disturbed air, it encountered disturbed air a second time, which the pilot leveled the wings and moved the [control] stick to neutral due to the close proximity of the ground and sink rate. Subsequently the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA187 for the full record.