# NTSB DEN85LA050: Piper PA-18, N3180Z, Poplar, MT, December 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Poplar, MT
- Coordinates: 48.299152, -105.189781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2992&lon=-105.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT 'LOW AND SLOW' TO LOOK FOR DEER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED THE POWER BACK TO GLIDE DOWN AND OBSERVE WILDLIFE AND WHEN HE REAPPLIED POWER THERE WAS SEVERE HESITATION AND THE ENG DID NOT PICK UP RPM. HE PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN TO GAIN AIRSPEED AND HIT A HILLTOP WITH THE LANDING GEAR. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TERRAIN AS HILLY AND REPORTED THE WINDS TO BE AT 18 KTS GUSTING TO 26 KTS. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS -10 DEG F. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE GLIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3180Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7171
- Airframe hours: 3647
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Vosen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -9 °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 19841225068109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225068109A), Dec 25, 1984: Piper PA18150, Poplar, MT, Substantial damage. Glided with throttle retarded and no carburetor heat to look at wildlife. Engine hesitated on power application.

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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