# NTSB DEN89FA117: Piper PA-28-140, N7296J, Livingston, MT, May 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 19:40 local (May 7, 1989, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Livingston, MT
- Coordinates: 45.700237, -110.530952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7002&lon=-110.5310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA117

## Probable cause

THE POOR JUDGEMENT DISPLAYED BY THE PILOT WHEN HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE AT EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PULL-UP REQUIRED AND STRUCK TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT TREE TOP LEVEL OVER A TREE COVERED MOUNTAINOUS AREA SOUTH OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA. THE PRIVATE PLT WAS MAKING SEVERAL PASSES OVER MILITARY UNITS CONDUCTING SUMMER CAMP TRAINING EXERCISES, WHEN THE THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'BUZZED' TREE TOPS SEVERAL TIMES. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7296J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7296J-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 28-24651, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-28-24651
- Airframe hours: 4431
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Profenzano, Salvatore T.
- Registered owner: Provenzano, Salvatore T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT
- Destination: LVM, LIVINGSTON, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 10 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19890506011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506011029A), May 6, 1989: Piper PA28140, Livingston, MT, Substantial damage. Struck trees while buzzing camp grounds of fellow rotc cadets. Area was hilly mountain terrain.

## Other investigations on N7296J (1)

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 DEN71DQA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DQA12), Sep 13, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N7296J), Tecolotito, NM, substantial damage

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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