# NTSB DEN87FA037: Piper PA-18-150, N6712L, Lewistown, MT, December 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1986, 08:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Lewistown, MT
- Coordinates: 47.009346, -109.340301 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0093&lon=-109.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON THE MORNING OF THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PRIVATE PLT/OWNER AND HIS FRIEND TOOK OFF ON AN ALL DAY COYOTE HUNTING FLT. WHEN THE ACFT FAILED TO RETURN THAT EVENING AN AIR AND GROUND SEARCH WAS BEGUN. THE BURNED WRECKAGE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND 3 DAYS LATER ABOUT 25 MILES NORTHEAST OF LEWISTOWN ON OPEN LEVEL PASTURE LAND. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. INVESTIGATIO REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6712L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7409112
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne D. Chapman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1986
- Departed: LWT, LEWISTOWN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 703 total, 645 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWT, 25 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 19861226069599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861226069599A), Dec 26, 1986: Piper PA18150, Lewistown, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground on a hunting trip. Suspect aircraft stalled during low altitude maneuvers.

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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