Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Dixon, MT
On June 27, 2010, a Piper PA-28R-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Dixon, MT. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 27, 2010
- Place
- Dixon, MT
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.255°N, 114.508°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100708X10207
Official records · WPR10FA330
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 27, 2010, approximately 1600 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N7581J, impacted mountainous terrain 10 miles southwest of Dixon, Montana. The airplane was owned by a private individual, operated by Northstar Jet, and was rented to the pilot, who operated it under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his three passengers were killed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and consumed by a post impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Kalispell City Airport, Kalispell, Montana, about 1409. The airplane was reported missing on June 27, 2010. A search was conducted by the Sanders and Lake County Sheriff Departments. The wreckage was located by aerial search crews on the afternoon of June 30 th in rugged and remote mountainous terrain. A ground search and rescue team confirmed four fatalities at the accident site. The Lake County Sheriff and the airplane’s owner conveyed that the pilot had rented the single engine, blue and white airplane, and departed with one passenger from Missoula International Airport, Missoula, Montana, about 1330. Around 1409, he departed Kalispell City Airport with three passengers for a sightseeing flight. Initial radar data showed the airplane departing Kalispell and heading north over the Flathead National Forest, then traveling south along the east side of Flathead Lake. The last radar return was at 1552, located in the vicinity of Dixon, at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (agl), 2,800
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with mountainous terrain.
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Browse: Montana · Piper 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.
