# Fatal NTSB investigations, MT NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 8 · 360 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR26FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA032.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Lincoln, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 25, 2025 · N740TS · Destroyed > On October 24, 2025 at 2115 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus SR22T, N740TS, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Montana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)… - [NTSB WPR26FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA031.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Ekalaka, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 23, 2025 · N67GA · Substantial damage > On October 22, 2025, about 1830 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, N67GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ekalaka, Montana. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as… - [NTSB WPR26LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA020.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Condon, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Oct 17, 2025 · N2345R · Substantial damage > On October 17, 2025, about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N2345R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Condon, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14… - [NTSB WPR25FA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA289.md): Murphy SR3500 · Bigfork, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 19, 2025 · N62ZT · Destroyed > On September 19, 2025, about 1205 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur built Murphy SR3500, N62ZT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bigfork, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code… - [NTSB WPR25FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA252.md): Vans RV-7A · West Glacier, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 12, 2025 · N30SG · Substantial damage > On August 12, 2025, about 1457 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-7A N30SG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Glacier, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a… - [NTSB WPR25FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA223.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5 · West Glacier, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 26, 2025 · N1342R · Substantial damage > On July 26, 2025, about 0942 mountain daylight time, a Grumman AA-5, N1342R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near West Glacier, Montana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal… - [NTSB WPR25FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA214.md): Piper PA-28-180 · West Yellowstone, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 18, 2025 · N7186W · Substantial damage > On July 17, 2025, about 2358 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7186W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Yellowstone, Montana. The pilot and two pilot rated passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB WPR25FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA182.md): Cessna 172 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 19, 2025 · N79306 · Substantial damage > On June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N79306, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations… - [NTSB WPR24FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA270.md): Cessna 182K · Augusta, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2024 · N2764Q · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. - [NTSB WPR24FA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA238.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Helena, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 10, 2024 · N10122 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness during the water scoop due to task overload while operating in a multi-airplane tactical firefighting environment, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the airplane’s collision… - [NTSB WPR24FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA150.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2024 · UNREG · Substantial damage > 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… - [NTSB WPR24FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA132.md): Bell 206-L4 · Anaconda, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2024 · N988B · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power due to a loss of cooling oil to the turbine-to-compressor coupling shaft and subsequent fracture of the shaft at an altitude too low for the pilot to complete a successful autorotation. Contributing to the accident was carbon… - [NTSB WPR23FA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA286.md): Risen 915 iS · Glendive, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 28, 2023 · N2442 · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. - [NTSB WPR23FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA244.md): Curtiss Wright P-40E · Hamilton, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 27, 2023 · N4420K · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB WPR23LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA001.md): Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N892SP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline. - [NTSB WPR22FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA169.md): Bearhawk LSA · Kalispell, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2022 · N1908A · Substantial damage > An excessive pitch control input for undetermined reasons while the airplane was operating above maneuvering speed, which led to a structural failure of the right wing during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the poor construction quality of the… - [NTSB WPR21FA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA353.md): Beech S35 · Billings, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 27, 2021 · N354M · Destroyed > The pilot’s improper flare, which led to a hard landing, subsequent loss of control, and collision with trees. - [NTSB WPR21FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA258.md): Cessna 172R · Missoula, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 1, 2021 · N2388L · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. - [NTSB WPR21LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA032.md): Cessna 172 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2020 · N124TW · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence. - [NTSB WPR20LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA304.md): Cessna 172 · Seeley Lake, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N3720R · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB WPR20LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA245.md): Cessna 337 · Ennis, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2020 · N337V · Substantial damage > The pilot-in-command’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while attempting an evasive maneuver from a boxed canyon, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s… - [NTSB WPR20LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA128.md): Piper PA31T · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N926K · Destroyed > The degraded airplane performance after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence. - [NTSB WPR20FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA063.md): Cessna TR182 · Billings, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 12, 2020 · N736YU · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight. - [NTSB WPR19FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA246.md): Beech 33 · St. Ignatius, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 29, 2019 · N9529Y · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain. - [NTSB WPR19FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA209.md): Cessna 182 · Wolf Point, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 5, 2019 · N3469R · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB WPR18FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA260.md): Robert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2018 · N166LC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters. - [NTSB WPR16FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA182.md): Beech 95 B55 (T42A) · Broadus, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2016 · N413D · Substantial damage > The airplane's departure from cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB WPR16FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA170.md): Cessna 182 · Clinton, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2016 · N9936T · Destroyed > The sudden right turn on approach to landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. - [NTSB WPR16FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA012.md): Bucker Jungmeister BU 133 · Missoula, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2015 · N1940J · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while executing a return to the runway after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s… - [NTSB WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247.md): Cessna 172P · Townsend, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. - [NTSB WPR15FA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA135.md): Piper PA32R - 301 · Townsend, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2015 · C-GAUS · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to depart on and to continue a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent… - [NTSB WPR15FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA062.md): Piper PA 18-150 · Ronan, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2014 · N5989Z · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing an intentional, abrupt low-level maneuver. - [NTSB WPR15FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA049.md): Cessna 170B · Alzada, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 2014 · N3292A · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. - [NTSB WPR14FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA362.md): Cessna 177B · Neihart, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2014 · N34880 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over… - [NTSB WPR14LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA305.md): Cessna 150M · Russian Flat, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2014 · N66255 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer's specified performance limitations, which resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic… - [NTSB WPR14FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA231.md): Grumman G 21A · Sula, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2014 · N888GG · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions in an airplane not maintained for instrument flight, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB WPR14LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA233.md): North Wing Apache Sport · Polson, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2014 · N2804P · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during initial climb due to his experiencing an incapacitating medical event. - [NTSB WPR13FA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA368.md): Beech E35 · West Yellowstone, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2013 · N3226C · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while aligning the airplane with the runway for landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… - [NTSB WPR13FA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA343.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Thompson Falls, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2013 · N25WH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while operating in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. - [NTSB WPR13FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA288.md): Beech J35 · Helena, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2013 · N8255D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB WPR13FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA208.md): Bell 206B · Shepherd, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2013 · N150SP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering during low-altitude operations due to sudden neurological impairment or incapacitation and the helicopter’s subsequent collision with power lines. - [NTSB WPR13FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA183.md): Cessna 182C · Circle, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2013 · N8721T · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue flight into low visibility conditions. - [NTSB WPR13FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA073.md): Beech B100 · Libby, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2012 · N499SW · Destroyed > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions likely due to his geographic disorientation (lost). Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to fly at night with a… - [NTSB WPR12FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA123.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Brockton, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2012 · N5542K · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB WPR11FA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA390.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Forsyth, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2011 · N7666D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall/mush, loss of control, and impact with terrain. - [NTSB WPR11FA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA383.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Silver Bow, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2011 · N2584N · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering. - [NTSB WPR11LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA317.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Bigfork, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2011 · N591CC · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB WPR11LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA272.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Hogeland, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2011 · N3661B · Substantial damage > Collision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. - [NTSB WPR11FA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA221.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Miles City, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2011 · N8523H · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. - [NTSB WPR11FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA170.md): Cessna T310R · Butte, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2011 · N4914A · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of airplane control during the missed approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the rapid and unforecast deterioration of the weather conditions to below the landing minimum and the pilot's decision to attempt the… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&state=MT&page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MT' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&state=MT --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.