# NTSB DEN90LA032: Piper PA-18-150, N62672, Powderville, MT, December 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1989, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Powderville, MT
- Coordinates: 46.220722, -105.600364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2207&lon=-105.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND LEFT THE AIRPLANE UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THAT THE PILOT'S SON DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE UNSAFE CONDITION IS CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS 8 YR OLD SON HAD COMPLETED A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT LEFT THE PLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO OPEN A GATE TO TAXI TO HIS HANGAR, ON HIS RANCH AIRSTRIP. WITH OUT THE PLT'S KNOWLEDGE, HIS SON EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND WAS FATALLY INJURED WHEN HE WALKED INTO THE PROPELLER ARC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not understood, passenger (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62672](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62672-2024-05-18), registration cancelled 2024-05-18, S/N 18-7809104, built 1978 (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: 187809104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. L. Ranch Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,265 total, 1,246 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891203049939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891203049939A), Dec 3, 1989: Piper PA18150, Powderville, MT, 1 fatal. After a flight pilot left engine running to open gate to hangar. Passenger got out and walked into prop.

## Other investigations on N62672 (2)

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 DEN90LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA108), May 10, 1990: Piper PA-18-150 (N62672), Powderville, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING DESCENT ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN, RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THAT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PULL UP ALTITUDE IS…
- [NTSB DEN82FTA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTA02), Oct 10, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N62672), Ekalaka, MT, 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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