# NTSB DEN85LA112: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21092, Garneill, MT, April 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1985, 19:15 local (Apr 6, 1985, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Garneill, MT
- Location: 46.7525° N, 109.7527° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garneill, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7525&lon=-109.7527&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA112

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(circadian rhythm), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED MARGINAL (OBSCURED) WX & REVERSED COURSE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. HE STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS RETURNING, HE 'DOZED OFF A LITTLE BIT' & WHEN HE AWOKE, HE SAW A MOUNTAIN DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE TOOK EVASIVE ACTION BY PULLING THE ACFT UP, BUT THE ACFT PANCAKED INTO THE MOUNTAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS TIRED, & WHILE RETURNING, HE RELAXED & MOMENTARILY FELL ASLEEP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N21092 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7887188
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maurice Klabunde
- Registered owner: Maurice Klabunde
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: BZM, BOZEMAN, MT
- Destination: HVR, HAVRE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,385 total, 135 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWT, 30 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 19850405010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850405010889A), Apr 5, 1985: Piper PA32RT300T, Garneill, MT, Destroyed. VFR pilot in IFR conditions dozed during night flight. Awakened close to mountain and pancaked aircraft in.

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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