# Accident 20000429005789A: Piper PA-32-300, Forth Smith, MT, April 29, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 29, 2000, 10:30 local time
- Place: Forth Smith, MT
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.4090° N, 107.8796° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4090&lon=-107.8796&mi=10
- Aircraft: N216BC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N216BC-2000-11-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA00FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00FA080) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000429005789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DEPARTED HELNA, MONTANA, TO SHERIDAN, WYOMING. STRUCK TERRAIN 10 NM SSW OF FT. SMITH, MONTANA.  WEATHER AT BILLINGS AND SHERIDAN REPORTED AS LAYERED CLOUDS WITH VICINITY SHOWERS/SNOW SHOWERS.  SYSTEM WAS DEPARTING AREA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA00FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00FA080), Apr 29, 2000: Piper PA-32-300 (N216BC), Fort Smith, MT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include low ceilings, snow, rain, and rising, mountainous/hilly terrain.

## Other reports on N216BC (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19800130020369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800130020369I), Jan 30, 1980: Piper PA32300 (N216BC), Lexington, KY, Minor damage. Low fuel flow after level-off. Returned to departure point. Hit trees on approach. No mechanical defects found.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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