# NTSB DEN90LA108: Piper PA-18-150, N62672, Powderville, MT, May 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1990, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Powderville, MT
- Coordinates: 46.219978, -105.60057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2200&lon=-105.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA108

## 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 CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - crop
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PLT WAS PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT NEAR HIS HOME. THE PLT SAID THAT THE FLIGHT WAS ON DESCENT INTO A FIELD FOR A SPRAY PASS. HE SAID THE ENTRY WAS TOO STEEP AND THE PLANE STRUCK THE TERRAIN. HE REPORTED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL STRUCK FIRST AND DAMAGED THE STRUT AND LEFT WING.

## 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: 18-7809104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Operator: W.L. Ranch Co.
- Registered owner: Charles W. Miles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,291 total, 1,271 in this make and model, 1,282 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 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: 61 °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 19900510015889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900510015889A), May 10, 1990: Piper PA18150, Powderville, MT, Substantial damage. Entry too steep in field for spraying and aircraft struck the ground. No ag certificate, private operation.

## 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 DEN90LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA032), Dec 3, 1989: Piper PA-18-150 (N62672), Powderville, MT, no damage, 1 fatal. 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.
- [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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.