# Accident 20200108003339A: Piper PA-23, Helena, MT, January 8, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 8, 2020, 16:05 local time
- Place: Helena, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.6069° N, 111.9831° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9831&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1428P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1428P-2020-06-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-23 (registry code 7102302, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 8,174 total, 1,875 in this make and model, 118 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200108003339A

## Narrative

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

DEPARTED WITH STUDENT ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT TO THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA. THEY CONDUCTED A SHUTDOWN OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND WERE UNABLE TO CONDUCT AN AIR RESTART. THEY LANDED EAST OF THE AIRPORT IN THE FIELD, NO DAMAGE. THE STUDENT GOT OUT AND WALKED BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND THE PILOT (INSTRUCTOR) DECIDED TO TRY AND DEPART THE FIELD TO FLY BACK TO THE AIRPORT AFTER HE SUCCESSFULLY STARTED THE LEFT ENGINE. PILOT TAXIED BACK ON THE FIELD AND ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF BUT ABOUT 700' DOWN THE FIELD HIT A DITCH AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE-GEAR. THIS RESULTED IN A DUAL PROP STRIKE AND 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 WPR20CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA066), Jan 8, 2020: Piper PA 23 (N1428P), Helena, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to attempt an off-airport departure from rough terrain without inspecting the takeoff area, which resulted in a collision with a shallow rut during takeoff and the nose…

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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