# NTSB investigations, 1985, 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB DEN86LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA050.md): Beech V-35B · Wibaux, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1985 · N24198 · Destroyed > The plt stated that light snow was falling at the arpt at the time of departure. The pax stated after the accident that the plt encountered clouds at their cruise alt of about 6000 ft. he continued to state that the acft made a shallow descent at first… - [NTSB DEN86LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA046.md): Cessna 206 · Hardin, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1985 · N5173U · Destroyed > After ldg to the east on a snow covered dirt rwy, the pilot elected to t/o on an intersecting rwy to the south. He could not see the entire rwy surface from the position due to dwn slope from center of rwy. The acft impacted snowdrifts 40-50 mph on t/o gnd… - [NTSB DEN86LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA042.md): Cessna 172P · Missoula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1985 · N64069 · Substantial damage > The solo student plt was attempting to land during a local flt when he lost control of the acft during the landing roll. The plt stated that the acft veered to one side of the ice covered rwy where it contacted 6 to 8 inches of snow, the acft continued… - [NTSB DEN86LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA041.md): Cessna 177B · Billings, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1985 · N13717 · Substantial damage > The acft was damaged during a forced landing in a fld following a loss of pwr from fuel exhaustion. The plt stated that during the preflight he checked the fuel level by the gages and not visually. The gages indicated slightly over one-half full at that time. - [NTSB DEN86LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA040.md): Helio H-391B · Bozeman, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1985 · N4101D · Substantial damage > According to personnel in the area, the plt radioed he had smoke in the cockpit and was returning to gallantin field, his departure point. Later, the plt transmitted that the eng lost total pwr and he was making a forced landing. During the investigation, it… - [NTSB DEN86FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA039.md): Beech 35-B33 · Columbia Falls, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1985 · N5637K · Destroyed > The acft contacted snow covered terrain in an uncontrolled descent aprx 3 minutes after takeoff. The plt obtained a wx briefing from kalispell, MT, NWS and updated briefings from missoula and great Falls, MT, fss, for proposed night VFR flt to ogden, UT. VFR… - [NTSB DEN86LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA011.md): Cessna 182P · Kalispell, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1985 · CGSPF · Destroyed > The plt stated that while on a return flt to calgary, alberta, Canada, over the mountainous terrain of glacier national park, he encountered a severe downdraft which forced the acft to the ground. The flt originated at kaispell, Montana. - [NTSB FTW86MA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86MA010.md): Beech V35 · Bridger, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 1985 · N8475H · Destroyed > Drg a preflt wx briefing, the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended due to forecast frontal activity moving southbound along his route. Severe turbulence & icing had been reported just to the north of his course. He filed a VFR flt plan & took off… - [NTSB DEN85LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA247.md): Cessna 182A · Troy, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1985 · N5145D · Substantial damage > The plt said that as he approached his destination he reduced engine pwr to begin descent. The engine quit forcing the pilot to land on unsuitable terrain. Contaminated fuel was found in the fuel system. - [NTSB DEN85FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA236.md): Piper PA-28RT-201T · Saint Mary, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 1985 · CGTGV · Destroyed > Plt received wx update enroute to kalispell, MT. He attempted to navigate through the glacier national park, following the 'going-to-the-sun' highway. The wx along the plt's route of flt included low cloud ceiling, limited visibility and mountain obscurement.… - [NTSB DEN85LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA221.md): Beech E18S · Billings, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1985 · N44N · Substantial damage > The plt stated that he encountered a 'wind draft' and the acft was struck by lightning. The rt eng mount failed and the rt eng was deflected downward. Plt was unable to maintain alt and executed a forced landing in an open field. Post crash exam of the welded… - [NTSB DEN85LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA220.md): Beech 76 · Sula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1985 · N3865U · Substantial damage > Plt stated that he overflew airstrip to 'make sure it was clear.' During the landing roll, he saw shrubbery on the rwy and attempted evasive action. The acft veered left and the left main gear rolled into a drainage ditch and the left wing contacted a fence… - [NTSB DEN85LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA218.md): Downer Aircraft Industries REP. Seabee RC-3 · Haugan, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1985 · N6305K · Substantial damage > The plt had reconditioned N6305K and was flying the acft to his home in Texas. He continued to state that while climbing through 6500 ft, he heard an unusual noise followed by a substantial loss in pwr. The plt executed an emergency landing on a forest… - [NTSB DEN85LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA209.md): Stinson 108-1 · Superior, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 1985 · N8976K · Substantial damage > The plt was flying with his wife on a pleasure flight to Idaho when smoke started coming into the cabin. Engine oil pressure went to zero. The plt secured the engine and made a forced landing to a farmer's field. The acft was substantially damaged; however,… - [NTSB DEN85FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA202.md): Cessna 172RG · Wilsall, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 1985 · N6156R · Destroyed > The plt obtained a wx briefing that forecast IMC. He filed a VFR flt plan and departed polson, Montana at 0830 en route to powell, Wyoming. The plt said he encountered low ceilings, low visibilities, and drizzle just past helena, Montana but he continued. The… - [NTSB DEN85LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA193.md): Cessna 182P · Missoula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 1985 · N6375F · Substantial damage > The pilot lost directional control during the touchdown phase of landing. The aircraft was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway and nosed over in the soft dirt. - [NTSB DEN85LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA194.md): Cessna 170B · Kalispell, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 1985 · N5414C · Substantial damage > The plt was returning from a local pleasure flt, it was a hot day. The plt said that he inadvertently leveled the acft aprx 10 ft high. He said the acft stalled causing a hard landing. The impact caused substantial damage to the acft. - [NTSB DEN85LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA192.md): Cessna 170B · Missoula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1985 · N8252A · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that he did not use proper technique and did not maintain directional control while landing in a brisk and direct crosswind. The airplane was substantially damaged in the hard landing that was followed by a ground loop. - [NTSB DEN85FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA179.md): Piper J3C-65 · Columbus, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 1985 · N6817H · Substantial damage > After making a low pass over his pax home, the plt pulled the acft up abruptly and stalled at a very low altitude. The alt was too low for the plt to effect a successful recovery before ground impact. - [NTSB DEN85LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA181.md): Cessna 170B · Swan Lake, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1985 · N2432D · Substantial damage > The plt said that prior to departure there was an estimated 14 gals of fuel on board. After aprx 30 minutes of flight the eng lost all pwr and a forced landing was accomplished in a mountainous creek bed. During the landing roll the acft struck a feeled tree… - [NTSB DEN85FTI04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI04.md): Failing/Rand-Robinson KR-2 · Laurel, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jun 22, 1985 · N8483Y · Destroyed > Drg a test flt, the plt made a fast taxi run, then took off on rwy 21. After takeoff, he made a gradual climb & shallow left turns to a downwind, circled the arpt & reentered a downwind for rwy 21. Witnesses reported that the plt made a power reduction &… - [NTSB DEN85FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA153.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Melstone, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1985 · N75063 · Substantial damage > The acft was observed in a left turn in a steep dive until it passed out of view behind a hill. The investigation revealed no evidence of airframe or engine malfunction or failure piror to the crash. Medical findings revealed the plt, sole occupant, had 90… - [NTSB DEN85LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA151.md): Beech B35 · Chinook, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1985 · N5099C · Substantial damage > About 10 min after takeoff, the acft was damaged during a forced landing after the eng began sputtering & then lost power. The plt reported that he made a normal takeoff with the cowl flaps open & the mixture rich. After climbing about 1100 ft (to 3500 ft… - [NTSB DEN85LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA149.md): Beech V35B · Kalispell, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1985 · N908V · Substantial damage > N904V, a privately owned B-35, skidded off to the side of a runway during landing. The plt said that he inadvertently activated the gear up switch instead of the flap switch. The right landing gear collapsed causing the plt to lose control of acft. - [NTSB DEN85LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA150.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Cut Bank, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 1985 · N2491A · Substantial damage > The purpose of the flt was to clean the acft spray sys. The plt reported that he initiated a downhill/donwind takeoff in winds that were light, but gusting. At lift-off, the plt lost directional control & the acft mushed & crashed. The plt believed the… - [NTSB DEN85FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA141.md): Cessna 414 · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 1985 · N333AA · Destroyed > The plt was making a short (35 minutes) local flt to 'check N333AA over' before turning it over to its new owner. The acft collided with the ground in a steep descent, wings level, attitude during an entry into the traffic pattern at Billings, Montana. VMC… - [NTSB DEN85LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA135.md): Cessna 172 · Loma, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 18, 1985 · N6462D · Substantial damage > The acft contacted power lines which cross over the Missouri river. The lines are aprx 150-200 ft above the river on one side and aprx 45 ft above the river on the opposite side. The plt stated he was flying along the river at an alt of aprx 75 ft when… - [NTSB DEN85LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA133.md): Piper PA-36 · Rapelje, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 1985 · N44260 · Destroyed > The acft settled back to ground contact after reaching an alt (EST by the plt) of 60 ft AGL during takeoff initial climb. The plt stated that he recognized the acft was settling toward the ground & noticed a dissipation of airspeed. The plt said that he then… - [NTSB DEN85FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA131.md): Consolidated-Vultee PBY-5A · Lewistown, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 1985 · N84857 · Substantial damage > During taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The plt attempted to groundloop the acft. The acft rolled down hill and collided with a gully. The plt was fatally injured. During preflight the co-plt inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The… - [NTSB DEN85LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA119.md): Cessna 172 · Opheim, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1985 · N6495E · Substantial damage > The plt took off on a wet-soft airstrip which made the takeoff run longer than normal. The initial climb was at minimum airspeed when gusty winds caused the acft to stall. The acft impacted the ground and was substantially damaged. - [NTSB DEN85LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA112.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Garneill, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1985 · N21092 · Destroyed > The plt reported that during a night x-country flt, he encountered marginal (obscured) wx & reversed course to return to the departure point. He stated that while he was returning, he 'dozed off a little bit' & when he awoke, he saw a mountain directly ahead.… - [NTSB DEN85FTI03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI03.md): Hilliard B-8-M · Clinton, MT · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 18, 1985 · N8036T · Substantial damage > The gyrocopter inadvertently became airborne during a high speed taxi run. The plt reported that at an alt of aprx 10-15 ft AGL he 'cut the engine speed to idle, and pulled the joystick fully back to land.' This action put the gyrocopter in a nose high… - [NTSB DEN85LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA093.md): Cessna 421C · Butte, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 1985 · N98487 · Substantial damage > While in level flt the plt noticed a puff of smoke emit from the left engine, followed by the appearance of hydraulic fluid and the illumination of the left and right hydraulic flow lights. The plt lowered the landing gear during the apch, however, the nose… - [NTSB DEN85LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA085.md): Piper PA-18 · Polson, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 1985 · N8676C · Substantial damage > The plt stated a 35 kt gust of wind from the north lifted the tail of the acft to the left. The acft veered right, contacted a snow bank and nosed over. The plt was taxiing on rwy 18 after landing when the accident occurred. - [NTSB DEN85FTI02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI02.md): Benjamin Pitts S1U · Fort Benton, MT · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Feb 24, 1985 · N155LB · Substantial damage > The acft contacted a dirt bank during a forced landing in a field following a loss of pwr shortly after takeoff. A landing was made at Fort Benton arpt where the acft was serviced with 11.85 gallons of 100 oct avgas. Post accident examination of the acft… - [NTSB DEN85FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA084.md): Taylorcraft BC-65 · Chinook, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 1985 · N26580 · Destroyed > The airplane was observed to enter a shallow right climbing turn at about 200 feet AGL after making a low pass over friends. Witnesses said the airplane then stalled and dove to the ground. There was no evidence of airframe, eng, prop, flt control, or syst… - [NTSB DEN85LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA082.md): Cessna 152 · Kalispell, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 1985 · N24950 · Substantial damage > The acft collided with a snowbank during the landing roll following a loss of directional control. The plt reported that the left brake froze or locked up when it was applied during the landing. Inspection revealed that there was a substantial amount of ice… - [NTSB DEN85LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA076.md): Piper PA-18 · Thompson Falls, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 1985 · N3777P · Substantial damage > The acft nosed over during a forced lndg on terrain covered by 20 inches of snow. The flt was on deer survey flt the plt told of improper use of the carb heat control during a period of'perfect' icing conditions. The plts reduction of power during maneuvering… - [NTSB DEN85LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA063.md): Cessna 150 · Missoula, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 1985 · N1416Q · Substantial damage > On jan 14, 1985, a Cessna 150 nosed over after landing on a highway near Missoula, MT. The pilot stated he lost partial engine power due to carburetor icing conditions encountered enroute from great falls, MT. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The… - [NTSB DEN85LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA060.md): Beech B36TC · Billings, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 1985 · N6750C · Substantial damage > Plt used cannula connected to portable oxygen system during climb starting at 11,000 ft MSL. At FL 170 plt switched to a mask connected to acft oxygen ststem. At FL 250, plt complained of stomach pains for aprx 1/2 hr. Plt then stated to his son that his… - [NTSB DEN85FTI01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI01.md): Polliwagen 2 Place · Manhattan, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jan 3, 1985 · N13954 · Destroyed > The acft crashed in an open flt shortly after takeoff and was destroyed by fire. There were no witnesses to the accident. The plt reportedly stated he needed to depart Manhattan by 0500 MST to arrive in helena before 0600 MST when the ATC twr opened as his… - [NTSB DEN85LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA054.md): Cessna 180 · Marion, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 1985 · N966K · Substantial damage > The acft nosed over onto its back after the plt landed in snow 6 to 8 inches in depth. ## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 1985 AND c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MT' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?state=MT&year=1985 --- 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.