# Accident 20170708007979A: Piper L-21B, Big Timber, MT, July 8, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 8, 2017, 12:00 local time
- Place: Big Timber, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.8419° N, 109.8942° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8419&lon=-109.8942&mi=10
- Aircraft: N99031, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-135 (registry code 7101820, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER L-21B
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR17LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA145) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170708007979A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE BIG TIMBER AIRPORT (6S0) HEADED EASTWARD ALONG THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER AT A LOW ALTITUDE.  AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES TRAVERSING THE RIVER APPROXIMATELY 3 MILE EAST OF BIG TIMBER, 1/4 MILE EAST OF THE OTTER CREEK FISHING ACCESS.

## 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 WPR17LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA145), Jul 8, 2017: Piper L 21B (N99031), Big Timber, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to fly at low altitude in the vicinity of power lines, which resulted in a wire strike.

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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