# NTSB DEN85LA013: Piper PA-18, N7478L, Loring, MT, October 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1984, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Loring, MT
- Coordinates: 48.819473, -108.000457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8195&lon=-108.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, other

## Analysis

ACFT STALLED WHILE MAKING A DOWNWIND TURN DURING SLOW FLIGHT AT A LOW ALT WHILE ON A CATTLE SURVEY FLT. ACFT DESCENDED, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7478L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7478L), registered now, S/N 18-7509073, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187509073
- Airframe hours: 1122
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel Simonson
- Registered owner: Leroy Simonson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1983
- Departed: LORING, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 510 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19841019070299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841019070299A), Oct 19, 1984: Piper PA18150, Loring, MT, Destroyed. Aircraft stalled and crashed when pilot made downwind turn near the ground during a cattle survey.

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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