# NTSB SEA01LA019: Piper PA-18, N8415Y, Broadus, MT, November 14, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2000, 14:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Broadus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.389186, -105.499717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3892&lon=-105.4997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA019

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff phase of the flight.

## Analysis

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board on June 4, 2001, the pilot stated that he was departing from a private, snow-covered runway.  He reported that the airplane stalled shortly after becoming airborne and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude.  To date, the National Transportation Safety Board has not received a completed Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report) from the pilot.

## Factual narrative

On November 14, 2000, about 1442 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18, N8415Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain shortly after take off from a private airstrip 30 miles northeast of Broadus, Montana.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal/pleasure flight when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Billings, Montana.  There was no fire and no report of ELT activation.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board on June 4, 2001, the pilot stated that he was departing from the private, snow-covered runway.  He reported that the airplane "stalled" shortly after becoming airborne and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude.

To date, the National Transportation Safety Board has not received a completed Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report) from the pilot.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8415Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8415Y), registered now, S/N 18-8859, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- 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: 18-8859
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald H. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS, 35 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 20001114018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001114018309A), Nov 14, 2000: Piper PA18150, Broadus, MT, No damage. (-23) Aircraft drifted to the left while departing from a snow-covered private (dirt) ranch air strip. Upon reaching a culvert in his path, he yanked the…

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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