# NTSB DEN82DA065: Piper PA-18-180, N55WP, Savage, MT, April 22, 1982 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: April 22, 1982, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Savage, MT - Coordinates: 47.500522, -104.469573 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5005&lon=-104.4696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 1983 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 72558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72558/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA065 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, landing - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REMAINED AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND PROCEEDED TOWARD SAVAGE, MT. HE SAID HE INTENDED TO FLY OVER HIS PARTNER'S FARM NEAR SAVAGE. NEARLY 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, A LOSS OF ENGINE RPM WAS NOTED AS THE PILOT APPROACHED HIS PARTNER'S FARM. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND MADE A FULL-FLAP LANDING TO THE SOUTH ON AN ELEVATED ROADWAY BESIDE AN IRRIGATION DITCH. DURING TOUCHDOWN, HE NOTICED THE ENGINE POWER WAS RETURNING; HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED THE LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE HAD SLOWED, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING AND THE AIRCRAFT OVERTURNED. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 78 DEGREES, BUT THE DEW POINT WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PILOT SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICE, BUT THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED. ## Aircraft - Registration: N55WP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-180 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188271 - Airframe hours: 4548 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Byron Sunwall/Craig Seeve - Registered owner: Byron Sunwall/Craig Seeve - Departed: SDY, SIDNEY, MT - Destination: SDY, SIDNEY, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,556 total, 261 in this make and model, 1,361 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Temperature: 172 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISN, 60 nm away ## 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 19820422013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820422013769A), Apr 22, 1982: Piper PA18180, Sauage, MT, Substantial damage. Accident occurred during off airport landing on road. Pilot claims engine lost power and was attempting 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. --- 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.