# NTSB DEN87LA067: Piper PA-31-350, N3529W, Missoula, MT, March 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1987, 21:40 local (Mar 19, 1987, 04:40 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.8997, -113.920768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8997&lon=-113.9208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA067

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PLT OF THE PIPER NAVAJO WAS TAXIING TO THE ACTIVE RWY FOR AN IFR DEPARTURE, DIRECTED HIS ATTENTION TO THE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE CHART IN THE COCKPIT, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL OF A SWEARINGEN ACFT HOLDING SHORT OF THE RWY AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3529W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3529W), registered now, S/N 31-7952159, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317952159
- Airframe hours: 3166
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bighorn Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bighorn Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1987, 83 hours before
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: HLN, HELENA, MT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSO, Missoula

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N124AV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124AV-1993-07-22), registration cancelled 1993-07-22, S/N TC364 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-226TC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (registry code 8780404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC364
- Airframe hours: 11493
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-1OUA 900 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Big Sky Airlines
- Registered owner: Itt Industrial Credit Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 9, 1987, 47 hours before
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: GTF, GREAT FALLS, MT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSO, Missoula

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N3529W; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,572 total, 224 in this make and model, 2,516 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N124AV; age 38; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,550 total, 3,505 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870318008181A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318008181A), Mar 18, 1987: Piper PA31350, Missoula, MT, Minor damage. The aircraft taxied into N124AV which was parked. The pilot was looking inside cockpit and could not stop in time.
- [Accident 19870318008182A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318008182A), Mar 18, 1987: Swrngn SA226TC, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. This aircraft was stopped prior to takeoff, was struck from behind by N3529W. Pilot was looking at his charts.

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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