# NTSB DEN88FA001: Piper PA-18-125, N1377A, Miles City, MT, October 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1987, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Miles City, MT
- Coordinates: 46.220085, -105.5998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2201&lon=-105.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CATTLE RANCHER WAS FLYING HIS AIRCRAFT LOOKING FOR STRAY CATTLE AND CHECKING THE CONDITION OF THE RANCH. HE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL WHEN HE SPOTTED CATTLE THAT HAD STRAYED OFF THE RANCH. THE PILOT TURNED TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE CATTLE AND FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICALATTITUDE AT THE FAR END OF THE BOX CANYON. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1377A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1377A), registered now, S/N 18-1208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1208
- Airframe hours: 1360
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Smith Cattle, Inc.
- Registered owner: Smith Cattle, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1987, 32 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 225 total, 15 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS, 39 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 19871001058559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871001058559A), Oct 1, 1987: Piper PA18125, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Near vertical crash in a blind canyon. Pilot was checking for stray cattle.

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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