# NTSB DEN86LA154: Piper PA-25-260, N4768Y, Harve, MT, June 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1986, 05:35 local (11:35 UTC)
- Place: Harve, MT
- Coordinates: 48.560443, -109.730346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5604&lon=-109.7303&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): 16975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG LOST PARTIAL PWR AS A RESULT OF CARB ICE, & A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4768Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4768Y-2008-06-19), registration cancelled 2008-06-19, S/N 25-4530, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4530
- Airframe hours: 3450
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hensley Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1986, 53 hours before
- Departed: HVR, HAVRE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 493 total, 44 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860606022079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860606022079A), Jun 6, 1986: Piper PA25260, Havre, MT, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff climb. Crash landed in a plowed field. Pilot blamed carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N4768Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA05CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA117), Jun 12, 2005: Piper PA-25-260 (N4768Y), Geraldine, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with rising terrain. Rising terrain was a factor.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.