Cessna 182C accident near Marion, MT
On May 12, 2007, a Cessna 182C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Marion, MT. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 12, 2007
- Place
- Marion, MT
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.092°N, 114.856°W
- NTSB ID
- 20070517X00580
Official records · SEA07FA119
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 12, 2007, about 1015 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8771T, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for a precautionary landing at the Carson Field Airstrip (MT53), Marion, Montana. The certificated commercial pilot and four (skydiver) passengers were killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident for the local skydiving flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed. The flight departed MT53 about 5 minutes prior to the accident. Prior to departing on the first flight of the day a witness observed the pilot perform his preflight, which included checking the oil and fuel level. The witness then observed the pilot taxi the airplane to the fueling pit, add 25 gallons of fuel, then watched him sump both of the airplane's fuel tanks. The witness stated that after he heard the airplane take off, "I heard the plane turn around, which was not normal. I looked outside and saw the airplane flying to the south. I went back to the portable radio to talk to the pilot when another witness informed me that the airplane had crashed." The witness also revealed, relative to the pilot checking the oil, "I witnessed the pilot pull out and check the dipstick, but did not witness him removing the oil filler cap nor add any oil to the airplane." (The airplane's engine had separate orifices for adding oil and checking the oil level.) A second witness, who was sitting in the living room of a home located near the runway, reported hearing the pilot transmit o
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering to reverse direction. Factors included the airplane exceeding its maximum gross takeoff weight, the improper preflight by the pilot by not securing an oil cap, the low altitude, and an obstructed windshield.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
- Cessna 550, Dec 18, 1992
- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Oct 23, 2025
Browse: Montana · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
