Curtiss Wright P-40E accident near Hamilton, MT
On June 27, 2023, a Curtiss Wright P-40E (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hamilton, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 27, 2023
- Place
- Hamilton, MT
- Aircraft
- Curtiss Wright P-40E · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.271°N, 114.129°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230627192470
Official records · WPR23FA244
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On June 27, 2023, about 0759 mountain daylight time, a Curtiss Wright P-40E, N4420K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hamilton, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to an airframe and powerplant mechanic, on the morning of the accident, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane at Ravalli County Airport (HRF), Hamilton, Montana, and needed assistance to troubleshoot a starter problem. The mechanic stated that after he inspected the starter, the pilot started the airplane without further incident and continued his pretakeoff checks. He added that during his conversations, the pilot’s general mood was happy. Another mechanic reported that as the airplane taxied to the hold-short line for runway 35, the pilot performed a full run-up. After the pilot conducted magneto checks, the mechanic heard a 3-5 second engine surge. The pilot then continued and departed runway 35. Witnesses near the accident site reported that they observed the airplane depart to the north. During the initial climb, the airplane turned left to the west, and shortly after, it descended and impacted terrain in a nose-down attitude. Multiple witnesses reported that during the initial climb, there was a power loss event. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about ½ mile west of the departure end of runway 35 (see figure 1). The debris path was oriented on a heading of ab
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
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
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
Browse: Montana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
