# NTSB DEN81DTI03: Piper PA-18, N3981Z, Cascade, MT, January 27, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 27, 1981
- Place: Cascade, MT · CASCADE, MT
- Location: 47.2704° N, 111.7051° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cascade, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2704&lon=-111.7051&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81DTI03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTI03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0123  81/1/27    CASCADE,MT          PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 1630
        TIME - 1400                    N3981Z              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1350 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PRIVATE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GREAT FALLS,MT              CASCADE,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW WINDROWS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3981Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3981Z), registered now, S/N 18-7924, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Private

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810127002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810127002089A), Jan 27, 1981: Piper PA18150, Cascade, MT, Substantial damage. Wheel caught in snow-drift on edge of runway. Ground-looped into snow-bank.

## Other investigations on N3981Z (2)

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 MIA98LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA226), Aug 15, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N3981Z), Conway, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total failure of the left wing forward and aft attachment fitting due to corrosion and fatigue during a banner tow pick-up resulting in a subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB SEA68D0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0002), Jun 11, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N3981Z), Lincoln, MT, substantial damage

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.

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