# NTSB DEN85LA150: Piper PA-18-135, N2491A, Cut Bank, MT, June 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1985, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Cut Bank, MT
- Coordinates: 48.650516, -112.839263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6505&lon=-112.8393&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): 16691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA150

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CLEAN THE ACFT SPRAY SYS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A DOWNHILL/DONWIND TAKEOFF IN WINDS THAT WERE LIGHT, BUT GUSTING. AT LIFT-OFF, THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & THE ACFT MUSHED & CRASHED. THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY 'HOLDING THE ACFT ON THE GROUND LONGER & MAINTAINING BETTER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.'  THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4150 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2491A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2491A), registered now, S/N 18-1962, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1962
- Airframe hours: 4769
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Glenn E. Arnold Lindberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 1985, 20 hours before
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 231 total, 14 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 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 19850602021689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850602021689A), Jun 2, 1985: Piper PA18135, Cut Bank, MT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control after liftoff and impacted ground. Downwind takeoff from Private airstrip by mechanic.

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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