Airshow performer and former Naval aviator Dale “Snort” Snodgrass died in the crash of a light plane at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport in western Idaho in 2021. Snodgrass was flying an SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019, an Italian liaison plane with a turboprop conversion that was developed based on the design of the Cessna L-19 Bird Dog. An NTSB investigation completed over the summer found that Snodgrass had failed to remove a gust lock before taking off that day, and it detailed the design of the gust lock mechanism, which makes it very difficult for the pilot to see that it is in place.
Findings Released on Dale Snodgrass Fatal Crash
Key Takeaways:
- Former Naval aviator and airshow performer Dale "Snort" Snodgrass died in a 2021 light plane crash at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport in Idaho.
- An NTSB investigation determined that Snodgrass failed to remove a gust lock from his SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019 aircraft before takeoff.
- The design of the gust lock mechanism was noted as a contributing factor, making it difficult for the pilot to visually confirm its presence.
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