# NTSB DEN83LA134: Piper PA-28-235, N8787W, Hamilton, MT, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, MT
- Coordinates: 46.160717, -114.139862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1607&lon=-114.1399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power control - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

GROUND ROLL DURING TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL BUT AT LIFTOFF THE ACFT BEGAN A ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF WITH LESS THAN FULL POWER BUT ADDED FULL POWER AS THE TURN BEGAN. HE TRIED TO CORRECT WITH AILERON TO NO AVAIL. THE ACFT WAS NOW HEADING FOR SEVERAL HANGARS. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND TRIED TO GO BETWEEN THE HANGARS. THE ACFT CLEARED THE TOP OF ONE HANGAR BREAKING A POWERLINE. IT THEN FLEW THROUGH POWER AND PHONE LINES AND WENT THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE STOPPING ON ITS BELLY. THIS ACFT BELONGED TO THE PILOT AND HAD BEEN FLOWN LESS THAN 3 HOURS IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS. THE PILOTS LAST BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW WAS DATED 7/30/74.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8787W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8787W-1991-10-22), registration cancelled 1991-10-22, S/N 2810334 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10334
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynn Gerlinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1982, 3 hours before
- Destination: 32S, STEVENSVILLE, MT
- Airport: 6S5, Hamilton, runway 34, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 45 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 19830605022919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605022919A), Jun 5, 1983: Piper PA28235, Hamilton, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft after liftoff and it drifted left into powerlines and crashed.

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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