# NTSB DEN82DA203: Piper PA-28-151, N32180, Near Darby, MT, September 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1982, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Darby, MT
- Coordinates: 45.780387, -114.24073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7804&lon=-114.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SINCE THE SHOOK MOUNTAIN RESORT AIRPORT WAS NEW TO THE PILOT, HE CALLED THE AIRPORT TO GET FURTHER INFORMATION. HE STATED THAT THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED REPORTED IT WAS A NICE DAY AND THE WIND SOCK HAD BLOWN DOWN. DURING ARRIVAL, HE APPROACHED FROM THE NORTHEAST. HE STATED THAT BEFORE LANDING, THE RUNWAY LOOKED TO BE A BEAUTIFUL 4000 FT PLUS STRIP, BUT DURING THE LANDING, HE NOTICED A FENCE ACROSS WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE RUNWAY. BY THIS TIME, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ROOM TO STOP OR GO AROUND WITHOUT HITTTING THE FENCE. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE SECTIONAL CHART SHOWED THE RUNWAY WAS 2500 FT LONG, BUT HIS FLIGHT GUIDE INDICATED IT WAS 3150 FT LONG. AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THAT YEARS EARLIER, THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN NEARLY 4000 FT LONG. THE LAST PORTION OF THE RUNWAY WAS ON A FARMER'S LAND AND HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO OTHER PURPOSES. THE CLOSED PORTION HAD BEEN X-ED AND PILES OF SHRUBS HAD BEEN PLACED ON IT. THE OPEN PORTION WAS 2550 FT LONG. THE PILOT DID NOT CIRCLE OR ENTER A NORMAL PATTERN BEFORE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32180](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32180-1988-08-11), registration cancelled 1988-08-11, S/N 287515086 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515086
- Airframe hours: 3210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Thomas Ledgerwood
- Registered owner: John Thomas Ledgerwood
- Departed: C, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: C, DARBY, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 407, Wilcox-Shook Mt. Resort, runway 21, 2,550 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 127 total, 63 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820922048479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820922048479A), Sep 22, 1982: Piper PA28151, Darby, MT, Substantial damage. Failed to check field length and wind. Overshot on landing. Went though a fence and into trees off end off runway.

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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