# Accident 20030809019779A: Piper PA18150, Columbus, MT, August 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 2003, 13:00 local time
- Place: Columbus, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.6117° N, 109.1050° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6117&lon=-109.1050&mi=10
- Aircraft: N115HP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N115HP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32R-301 (registry code 7103218, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18150
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA166) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030809019779A

## Narrative

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

(-23) STEPHEN HENRY DUNN WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N115HP ON AUGUST 9, 2003. MR DUNN STATED THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 HOURS LOCAL TIME ON THAT DATE, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD NAMED CRAZY MOUNTAIN VISTA DRIVE, WHICH IS 7 MILES NE OF COLUMBUS, MONTANA. MR. DUNN ALSO STATED THAT AS HE DECELERATED, HE REALIZED THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. HE FOUND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND DEPARTED THE ROAD INTO A RAVINE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER AND ENDED UP ON ITS BACK. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## 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 SEA03LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA166), Aug 9, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N115HP), Rapids, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the landing gear tire valve stem and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The deflation of the tire and rough/uneven terrain were factors.

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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