# NTSB DEN87FA002: Piper J3C-65, N3742Z, Richey, MT, October 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1986, 18:20 local (Oct 9, 1986, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Richey, MT
- Coordinates: 47.709529, -105.030654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7095&lon=-105.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA002

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS SO THE PASSENGER COULD SHOOT AT A COYOTE, THE PLT INITIATED A RGT TURN TO POSITION THE ACFT FOR ANOTHER PASS. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER (REAR SEAT OCCUPANT) WAS PARTIALLY OUT THE OPEN DOOR WITH HIS RGT FOOT ON THE WING STRUT. RPRTDLY, THE PASSENGER GOT HIS LEG AGAINST THE CONTROL STICK & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE TURN. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT USING HIS SEAT BELT. HE RECEIVED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY & COULD NOT RECALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACDNT. THE PLT RECOMMENDED REMOVAL OF THE REAR CONTROL STICK AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PASSENGER INTERFERANCE WITH THE FLT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - movement restricted
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3742Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3742Z), registered now, S/N 6495 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6495
- Airframe hours: 4195
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Nils K. Sikveland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1986, 13 hours before
- Departed: RICHEY, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 588 total, 20 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDY, 38 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 19861008048429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861008048429A), Oct 8, 1986: Piper J3C65, Richey, MT, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground during coyote hunting. Passenger blocked control stick. Aircraft over gross weight.

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.