# NTSB DEN87LA118: Piper PA-22-150, N7511D, Missoula, MT, May 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1987, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.759857, -113.969329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7599&lon=-113.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. WHILE ON A TAKEOFF ROLL, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING AND PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE RWY TO THE LEFT. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT TAXIED THROUGH HIGH GRASS PARALLEL TO THE RWY. THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A CLUMP OF EARTH AND COLLAPSED. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE NEEDED MORE CROSSWIND TAKEOFFS AND LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7511D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7511D-1995-05-22), registration cancelled 1995-05-22, S/N 225238 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 225238
- Airframe hours: 3448
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary D. Macfadden
- Registered owner: Macfadden, Gary D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Airport: MSO, Missoula County, runway 29, 9,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 82 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870503012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870503012229A), May 3, 1987: Piper PA22150, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. During touch and go landings, the aircraft veered off the runway. The inexperienced pilot reported a crosswind gust

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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