Piper PA-18-150 accident near Thurlow, MT
On May 14, 2024, a Piper PA-18-150 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Thurlow, MT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 14, 2024
- Place
- Thurlow, MT
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.329°N, 106.374°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240515194259
Official records · WPR24FA150
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 14, 2024, about 0720 mountain daylight time, an unregistered Piper PA-18-150 airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Thurlow, Montana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 other work use flight. According to the wildlife control officer, and text messages found on the pilot’s cell phone, the pilot and a passenger were conducting aerial management of coyotes on a private ranch. The control officer was positioned on the ground near the hunting area and communicated with the pilot using their cell phones. According to the control officer, the pilot used a hands-free cell phone device connected to the his headset. The control officer also reported that the pilot mentioned that the airplane would be light on fuel. According to the control officer’s account, the pilot checked in with him about 0700 and asked where he needed to go. The control officer gave him guidance and watched the airplane as it flew over those areas. The control officer remained in the area for about 20 minutes then left. Phone records show that about 0718 the control officer talked to the pilot. The control officer’s account of what happened next varied but, according to his statement to the sheriff, the control officer was talking on his cell phone to the pilot, who reported that they had killed two coyotes and had seen a third. The control officer explained to the sheriff that he could hear gunshots through the cell phone and then the call dropped. When interviewe
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while maneuvering.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
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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.
