# NTSB DEN87LA030: Piper PA-12, N78588, Opheim, MT, December 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1986, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Opheim, MT
- Coordinates: 48.780715, -105.599136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7807&lon=-105.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF DOWNHILL BECAUSE HE SAID THE HILL WAS TOO STEEP TO TRY A TAKEOFF UPHILL EVEN INTO THE WIND. HE SAID THAT JUST PRIOR TO LIFT OFF, HE HIT A SNOWBANK WHICH SLOWED THE ACFT DOWN. DEEPER SNOW WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78588](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78588), registered now, S/N 12-3957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3957
- Airframe hours: 3049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Tmothy Trower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: SCOBEY, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,150 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °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 19861215067869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861215067869A), Dec 15, 1986: Piper PA12, Opheim, MT, Substantial damage. The aircraft flipped over when it hit a snowbank during liftoff from a snow covered cornfield. Downwind takeoff.

## Other investigations on N78588 (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 UNK64X2525](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2525), Jun 27, 1964: Piper PA12 (N78588), Braymer, MO, 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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