# NTSB DEN82FTA09: Cessna 177B, N35147, Wolf Pt., MT, January 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1982, 19:15 local (Jan 20, 1982, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Pt., MT
- Coordinates: 48.280807, -105.659172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2808&lon=-105.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTA09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTA09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A SNOW SQUALL WHILE CRUISING AT 5000 FT MSL ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN AT NIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE DESCENDED TO 4000 FT MSL TO TRY TO GET UNDER THE SQUALL AND CONTINUE. HE WAS UNABLE TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED AFTER DESCENDING TO 4000 FT MSL. THE PLANE WAS FOUND AND THE SURVIVORS WERE RESCUED WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD CRASHED ON LEVEL, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AND CONTINUED ABOUT 300 FT AFTER IMPACT. AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OR ENGINE. LOCAL RESIDENTS ESTIMATED THE VISIBILITY FROM LESS THEN ONE MILE TO THREE MILES WITH SNOW FALLING AND BLOWING. THE WIND CHILL FACTOR WAS ABOUT MINUS 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE PILOT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED TO FLY AT NIGHT. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 2200 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35147](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35147-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 17702232, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702232
- Airframe hours: 548
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AIF6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Norgaard Farms
- Registered owner: Norgaard Farms
- Departed: BILLINGS, MT
- Destination: POPULAR, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 535 total, 489 in this make and model, 498 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Observed at: BMS

## 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 19820119002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820119002049A), Jan 19, 1982: Cessna 177, Wolf Point, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed at night during low visibility conditions during snowstorm.

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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