# NTSB DEN82FTI10: Piper PA-28-140, N7273J, Near Bozeman, MT, January 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1982, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Bozeman, MT
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTI10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTI10

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON AN EARLY MORNING FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 8500 FEET. WHILE INBOUND TO HIS DESTINATION, HE ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITY WITH SNOW. AS HE STARTED A RIGHT TURN TO CORRECT TO HIS DESIRED COURSE, HIS PASSENGER ALERTED HIM OF A HILL AHEAD. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, HE EXPERIENCED A RAPID DESCENT. HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND TRIED TO CLIMB, BUT WAS UNABLE. WHILE LOOSING AIRSPEED, THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN IN WHAT THE PILOT DESCRIBED AS A STALL. THE PLANE STRUCK A TREE BEFORE IMPACTING IN 4 TO 5 FT OF SNOW ON A MOUNTAIN SLOPE. BOTH OCCUPANTS SURVIVED THE IMPACT. THE ELT WAS REMOVED AND SWITCHED FROM "ARM" TO "ON." IT WAS CARRIED DURING THEIR TREK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. THE SIGNAL EVENTUALLY LED SEARCH AIRCRAFT TO THEIR LOCATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7273J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7273J-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-24615, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2824615
- Airframe hours: 2989
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-23D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: P. D. Sebastian
- Registered owner: P. D. Sebastian
- Departed: GTF, GREAT FALLS, MT
- Destination: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 85 total, 49 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °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 19820111000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820111000879A), Jan 11, 1982: Piper PA28140, Bozeman, MT, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed when pilot attempted crossing mountainous terrain in marginal weather conditions.

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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