Piper PA 18-150 accident near Ronan, MT
On December 16, 2014, a Piper PA 18-150 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ronan, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 16, 2014
- Place
- Ronan, MT
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 18-150 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.601°N, 114.210°W
- NTSB ID
- 20141217X21639
Official records · WPR15FA062
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 16, 2014, about 1620 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N5989Z, impacted a hill while maneuvering in Ronan, Montana. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and departed Ronan Airport, Ronan, Montana about 1600. Daytime visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The passenger was a student pilot, and had purchased the airplane about 6 weeks prior to the accident. He had recently purchased a new propeller for the airplane and the pilot, who was also an aviation mechanic, installed the propeller just prior to the accident flight. After departure they maneuvered around the local area with the pilot acting as pilot-in-command the entire flight. As they approached the hills they were checking the performance of the airplane. The pilot stated that he saw a coyote and performed a wingover maneuver. The airplane banked left and the pilot pulled up. With the airplane about 20 feet away from the terrain the pilot stated "I don't think we are going to make it." The airplane collided with terrain. The passenger reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Numerous witnesses reported observing the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude a few minutes prior to the accident. One witness recalled hearing the airplane's engine ac
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing an intentional, abrupt low-level maneuver.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
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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.
