# NTSB DEN82DA063: Piper PA-23, N3371P, Gardiner, MT, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1982, 17:15 local (Apr 17, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Gardiner, MT
- Location: 45.0499° N, 110.7466° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GARDINER (29S), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0499&lon=-110.7466&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA063

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT AN AIRCRAFT WAS STUCK IN THE MUD ON RUNWAY 28. AFTER A SHORT RADIO DISCUSSION WITH THE PILOT OF THE IMMOBILIZED AIRCRAFT, A DECISION WAS MADE TO LAND ON THE OPPOSITE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRSPEED WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL, AND THAT THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARDER THAN NORMAL. HE STATED THAT AS THE LANDING ROLL BEGAN, THE LEFT GEAR SANK IN THE MUD AND COLLAPSED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FLAP, BOTH PROPELLERS, RIGHT WING SPAR, AND RIGHT NACELLE. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5286 FT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A NOTAM CONCERNING THE RUNWAY CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3371P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3371P-2005-07-20), registration cancelled 2005-07-20, S/N 23-1328, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1328
- Airframe hours: 3226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Chapman
- Registered owner: Bill Chapman
- Departed: BILLINGS, MT
- Destination: GARDINER, MT
- Airport: 29S, Gardiner, runway 10, 3,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,060 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,811 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 117 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820416009729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820416009729A), Apr 16, 1982: Piper PA23, Gardiner, MT, Substantial damage. Airplane stuck in mud on active runway. Used other runway. Collapsed landing gear as wheels sank in mud on landing.

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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