# NTSB DEN85FA236: Piper PA-28RT-201T, Saint Mary, MT, September 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1985, 10:06 local (16:06 UTC)
- Place: Saint Mary, MT
- Coordinates: 48.590183, -113.269897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5902&lon=-113.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA236

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT RECEIVED WX UPDATE ENROUTE TO KALISPELL, MT. HE ATTEMPTED TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, FOLLOWING THE 'GOING-TO-THE-SUN' HIGHWAY. THE WX ALONG THE PLT'S ROUTE OF FLT INCLUDED LOW CLOUD CEILING, LIMITED VISIBILITY AND MOUNTAIN OBSCUREMENT. THE PLT FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON AND COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT HELD A CANADIAN AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATE WITH AN INSTRUMENT RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGTGV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931176
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Conway, doing business as Aero Aviation Centre
- Registered owner: J. S. Percy Professional Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 2, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: YYCY, CALGARY, OF
- Destination: FCA, KALISPELL, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

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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