# NTSB DEN83LA127: Piper PA-18A-150, N3380Z, Hilger, MT, May 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1983, 19:45 local (May 29, 1983, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Hilger, MT
- Coordinates: 47.42966, -109.270317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4297&lon=-109.2703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE AND ANOTHER PILOT WERE SPRAYING A FIELD IN TANDEM FORMATION AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 10 FEET AGL. HE WAS ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEHIND THE LEAD ACFT AND SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. AFTER MAKING A SWATH RUN HE PULLED UP TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND STARTED MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3380Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3380Z), registered now, S/N 18-7261, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187261
- Airframe hours: 3632
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Central Air Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1982, 39 hours before
- Departed: HILGER, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 850 total, 850 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWT, 19 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 19830528064569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830528064569A), May 28, 1983: Piper PA18AS150, Hilger, MT, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during spraying operation when it entered wake turbulence from preceding aircraft.

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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