# NTSB DEN85LA133: Piper PA-36, N44260, Rapelje, MT, May 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1985, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Rapelje, MT
- Coordinates: 45.950027, -109.269721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9500&lon=-109.2697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy

## Analysis

THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO GROUND CONTACT AFTER REACHING AN ALT (EST BY THE PLT) OF 60 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT STATED THAT HE RECOGNIZED THE ACFT WAS SETTLING TOWARD THE GROUND & NOTICED A DISSIPATION OF AIRSPEED. THE PLT SAID THAT HE THEN 'ELECTED TO HOLD LOAD AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BEFORE DUMPING. I DUMPED THE LOAD 20 FT ABOVE THE POINT WHERE I KNEW I WAS GOING TO IMPACT THE GROUND.' THE DENSITY ALT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 4700 FT (ARPT FLE 3800 FT) BY THE IIC. IN THE AREA OF THE PLTS REPORT RESERVED FOR RECCOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTION (OF THIS ACCIDENT TYPE) THE PLT WROTE 'I BELIEVE THAT I GOT INTO A SITUATION KNOWN AS'REGION OF REVERSE COMMAND.'' THE DEFINITION OF THIS PHENOMENONDESCRIBES AN AERODYNAMIC SITUATION IN WHICH THE TOTAL DRAG OF THE ACFT INCREASES AS THE AIRSPEED DECREASES. THIS DRAG INCREASES TO A POINT WHERE INSUFFICIENT POWER IS AVAILABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PLT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ACFT LOAD CONSISTED OF 200 GALLONS OF 2,4,D & ROUNDUP, IN ADDITION TO 55 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44260](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44260-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 367460028 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 376460028
- Airframe hours: 2050
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael Visser
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1985, 16 hours before
- Departed: NA, MT
- Airport: runway 22, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,881 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,798 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850513016409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850513016409A), May 13, 1985: Piper PA36285, Rapelje, MT, Destroyed. After takeoff at 60 feet, aircraft settled into creekbed as airspeed decreased. Probable early liftoff.

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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