# NTSB DEN88LA070: Piper J3C-65, N55PA, Circle, MT, February 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1988, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Circle, MT
- Coordinates: 47.559783, -105.769912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5598&lon=-105.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT AND PASSENGER WERE HUNTING COYOTES FROM THE AIR. UPON LANDING TO PICK UP A COYOTE THEY HAD SHOT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED DEEP SNOW AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55PA), registered now, S/N 19115, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19115
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffery A. Skyberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 1,037 total, 970 in this make and model, 1,004 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19880214022889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880214022889A), Feb 14, 1988: Piper J3C65, Circle, MT, Substantial damage. Landed in a snow covered field to pick up a dead coyote. Aircraft nosed over in the deep snow.

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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