Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT): American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon, N59SE, accident occurred on January 29, 2026, near Alpine, Wyoming

• Location: Alpine, Wyoming 
• Accident Number: WPR26LA095 
• Date & Time: January 29, 2026, 14:30 Local 
• Registration: N59SE 
• Aircraft: American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202381/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202381

At the conclusion of an uneventful flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport and entered the airport traffic pattern. The pilot stated that after he turned onto the base leg for the runway, he unknowingly lost depth perception and flew into the snow-covered terrain due to the “flat light” conditions. During the accident sequence, the airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. 

The pilot added that the terrain surrounding his base leg of the traffic pattern was a dry lakebed covered in snow, the sky was overcast, and there were no shadows. He further stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.