Aviat Aircraft Inc. A-1 accident near Atlanta, Idaho, June 12, 2003
On June 12, 2003 at about 7:09 pm local time, a Aviat Aircraft Inc. A-1, registered N104CA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Atlanta, Idaho (Atlanta airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Clearance from trees was not maintained during the initial climb. A proper touchdown point was not attained, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area and trees were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2003 · about 7:09 pm local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Idaho · Atlanta · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat Aircraft Inc. A-1
- Registration
- N104CA · registry record · serial 1338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported that the aircraft circled the area before approaching runway 34. The witness stated that the aircraft was coming in too fast and too high when it pulled up. The aircraft circled around and started the approach again. The aircraft touched down about mid-field on the 2,650 foot gravel airstrip when the witness heard a backfire and the aircraft was observed to veer to the right of the runway. The aircraft lifted off subsequently colliding with an approximate 80 foot tall pine tree located about 400 feet from the end of the runway with its right wing. The aircraft then descended to the ground coming to rest upright about 76 feet from the tree. Airport facilities directories and guide books describing the cautions for operating into this airstrip were found in the wreckage. The advisories recommend to land runway 34 and depart runway 16. Other cautions state to "use at own risk" and "Can be hazardous. Not recommended except experienced pilots with local knowledge." Mountainous terrain surrounded the airstrip and tall trees were located in close proximity to the airstrip. This was the first time the pilot had been into this airstrip. Post-crash inspection of the aircraft and engine did not find evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 520 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 426 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 14, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 283.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 8, 2002; 45.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U86 Fairfield ID at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 55H Atlanta ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,650 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number SEA03FA100.