# NTSB DEN87FA234: Piper PA-12-150, N7695H, Anaconda, MT, September 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1987, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Anaconda, MT
- Coordinates: 46.120662, -112.970268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1207&lon=-112.9703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise - normal
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BOTH PLTS WERE REPORTEDLY AVID BIG HORN SHEEP HUNTERS. ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT, THE 2ND PLT PICKED UP TOPOGRAPHICAL CHARTS OF THE AREA WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED. IT WAS AN AREA WHERE THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS (FWP) HAD RECENTLY RELOCATED A HERD OF BIG HORN SHEEP. THE 2ND PLT WAS ALSO A RECENTLY RETIRED FWP REGIONAL SUPERVISOR WHO HAD BEEN IN CHARGE OF SHEEP HERD RELOCATIONS. ONE WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING EAST ACROSS THE MTNS AT LOW ALT. IT SUDDENLY DROPPED OUT OF SIGHT AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE AREA. WINDS ALOFT WERE FORCAST TO BE OUT OF THE NNW AT 14-15 KTS. NO EVIDENCE WAS FD TO INDICATE ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT STRUCK THE EAST WALL OF 7300 FT HIGH BUND GULCH AT ABT THE 7250 FT LEVEL IN A NOSE HIGH, L WG LOW ATTITUDE. THE CARB THROTTLE VALVE WAS FULL OPEN. THE PROP BORE EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7695H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7695H-1988-07-11), registration cancelled 1988-07-11, S/N 12585 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-585
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry J. Hurni
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1987
- Departed: LOLO, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,200 total, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTM, 28 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 19870908074059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870908074059A), Sep 8, 1987: Piper PA12, Anaconda, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with high terrain. Flying very low altitude. Hit side of canyon. Spotting sheep for future hunting.

## Other investigations on N7695H (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 MIA70DKJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70DKJ27), Apr 21, 1970: Piper PA-12 (N7695H), Tuscaloosa, AL, substantial damage

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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