# NTSB DEN87LA029: Piper PA-18-150, N7087D, Havre, MT, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Havre, MT
- Coordinates: 48.560127, -109.729003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5601&lon=-109.7290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE ACFT DURING PULL-UP AFTER MAKING A PASS 20 FT ABOVE COYOTES ON THE GROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN AND SLID THROUGH A WIRE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7087D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7087D), registered now, S/N 18-5575, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5575
- Airframe hours: 2355
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin Recknagel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1986, 55 hours before
- Departed: HVB, HAVRE, MT
- Destination: HVR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,223 total, 79 in this make and model, 3,098 as pilot in command, 413 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HVR, 7 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 19861206067859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861206067859A), Dec 6, 1986: Piper PA18150, Havre, MT, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled and struck the terrain while making low passes at coyotes.

## Other investigations on N7087D (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 ANC22LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA067), Aug 10, 2022: Piper PA-18-150 (N7087D), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll following a hard landing.

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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