Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS accident near Perma, Montana, October 2, 2022
On October 2, 2022 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 2015 Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS, registered N892SP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Perma, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2022 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Perma, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Scoda Aeronautica Ltda SUPER PETREL LS, built 2015 · all SUPER PETREL LSs on the register
- Registration
- N892SP · registry record · serial S0344
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane was the lead airplane in a flight of two and while flying about 50 ft over a river, the airplane struck a power line. The airplane abruptly pitched up, descended to the right, and impacted the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. According to a witness, the pilot had prior experience flying at low level over the river close to the accident site. The trailing pilot reported that the accident pilot did not report any mechanical failures or anomalies before the impact with a powerline. The trailing pilot was not aware of the powerline placement, and it is likely that the pilot also did not see the powerline’s placement across the river as it was unmarked.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8S1 Polson MT at 2:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KMSO, 32 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMSO 021453Z 13003KT 10SM OVC014 10/09 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP195 T01000089 53007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on October 3, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Record - Trailing Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - Witness | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Powerline Wire Placement Over River | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Wreckage Release Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Medical Factual Memorandum for Record | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.