# NTSB DEN85FA179: Piper J3C-65, N6817H, Columbus, MT, July 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1985, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.720909, -109.229476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7209&lon=-109.2295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER HIS PAX HOME, THE PLT PULLED THE ACFT UP ABRUPTLY AND STALLED AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ALT WAS TOO LOW FOR THE PLT TO EFFECT A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6817H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6817H-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 20033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20033
- Airframe hours: 1730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary George Woltermann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: COLUMBUS, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 450 total, 100 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 26.00 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 19850712030859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850712030859A), Jul 12, 1985: Piper J3C65, Columbus, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot buzzed his house, then pulled back into a steep climb. Aircraft stalled, then spun to ground impact.

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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