# NTSB FTW86FA154: Piper PA-12, N2532M, Big Sandy, MT, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1986, 18:48 local (Aug 30, 1986, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: Big Sandy, MT
- Coordinates: 48.172441, -110.10962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1724&lon=-110.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT ON UNAUTHORIZED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT DEPARTED UNIMPROVED FIELD ON VFR FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SPOTTING GAME. WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE AREA WERE CONDUCIVE FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT WINGS ROCKED VIOLENTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT TURN AND DESCENDED TO GORUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2532M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirk E. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HVR, 37 nm away

## 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 19860829043089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860829043089A), Aug 29, 1986: Piper STCPA12, Big Sandy, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student pilot stalled aircraft and impacted ground during unauthorized operations. Terrain,wind shift were factors.

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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