# NTSB DEN89LA046: Piper PA-11, N78654, Hammond, MT, December 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1988, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hammond, MT
- Coordinates: 45.349922, -104.730461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3499&lon=-104.7305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT, WHO WAS A VETERINARIAN, LANDED HIS ACFT IN ROUGH, CULTIVATED FARM FLD AT A RANCH IN ORDER TO CONDUCT BUSINESS. UPON COMPLETION OF HIS BUSINESS, THE PLT SELECTED A SMOOTHER AREA IN THE SAME FIELD FOR TAKEOFF. THE AREA WAS SMOOTHER BUT WAS SHORTER AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78654](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78654), registered now, S/N 11-454, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-12f) (registry code 17183, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-1415
- Airframe hours: 2438
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Tooke, James G.
- Registered owner: Tooke, James G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: EKA, EKALAKA, MT
- Airport: Farm Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,242 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19881217069799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881217069799A), Dec 17, 1988: Piper PA11, Hammond, MT, Substantial damage. Struck a fence trying to depart a farm field. Failed to note proper distance needed for takeoff.

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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