# NTSB DEN87LA139: Piper PA-18-150, N9128D, Wolf Point, MT, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Point, MT
- Coordinates: 48.280715, -105.660797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2807&lon=-105.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON APPROACH TO HIS PRIVATE STRIP AT APPROXIAMTELY 25 FEET AGL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED ONTO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER, THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9128D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9128D), registered now, S/N 18-6509, built 1958 (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: 18-6509
- Airframe hours: 3612
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel L. Hanks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1987
- Airport: Hanks Grass Strip, runway 16, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 619 total, 578 in this make and model, 578 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19870530025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530025309A), May 30, 1987: Piper PA18150, Wolf Point, MT, Substantial damage. Stalled over trees while landing. Dropped into runway. Bounced. Left wing dipped and struck the ground.

## Other investigations on N9128D (3)

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 ANC26FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA106), Sep 18, 2026: Piper PA-18-150 (N9128D), Northway, AK, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB ANC10CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA088), Sep 6, 2010: Piper PA-18-160 (N9128D), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ATL93LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA022), Nov 7, 1992: Piper PA-18-150 (N9128D), Columbia, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE CARBURETOR FLOAT VALVE STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT FIELD .

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.