# NTSB SEA01LA122: Piper PA-38-112, N9341T, Bozeman, MT, June 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 2001, 19:00 local (Jun 27, 2001, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Bozeman, MT - Coordinates: 45.769901, -110.930709 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7699&lon=-110.9307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52585/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA122 ## Probable cause (aircraft 3) The pilot of another aircraft failed to maintain clearance while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from another aircraft while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor) - Midair collision, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 3) The pilot of a second aircraft reported that while maneuvering for a formation flight, his aircraft encountered an updraft and ascended up to the first aircraft. The propeller of the first aircraft contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the second aircraft. Both aircraft were able to return to the departure airport and land without further incident. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot reported that while maneuvering for a formation flight, his aircraft encountered an updraft and ascended up to the second aircraft. The propeller of the second aircraft contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the first aircraft. Both aircraft were able to return to the departure airport and land without further incident. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 3) On June 26, 2001, approximately 1900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA38-112, N9341T, registered to and operated by the private pilot collided in mid-air about nine miles north of Bozeman, Montana, with a Cessna 172M, N80830, registered to Manhattan Flying Tigers Inc. and flown by a flight instructor. Both aircraft were operating as personal flights under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flights which departed from Bozeman, about 30 minutes prior to the collision. The Piper was substantially damaged and the Cessna received minor damage. Neither the private pilot in the Piper nor the flight instructor and passenger in the Cessna were injured. After the collision, both aircraft landed at Gallatin Field, Bozeman, without further incident. The pilot of the Piper reported that this was a flight of four aircraft (three PA38, and one Cessna) for the purpose of taking photos for a poster. The pilot stated that everyone met prior to takeoff for a briefing. The passenger in the Cessna was to take the photos. The pilot stated that the flight of aircraft were climbing to about 6,000 feet mean sea level to begin the formation. Two of the PA38's were a significant distance away and were still trying to maneuver closer. The Cessna was at about 6,200 feet and the accident PA38 was at about 6,000 feet and a little ahead and to the right of the Cessna. The pilot in the PA38 stated that he reduced power to slow down and maneuver below and to the left. As he was doing this, the aircraft encountered an updraft. The PA38 increased altitude and ascended up to the Cessna. The propeller of the Cessna made contact with the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the PA38 resulting in substantial damage. The pilot of the Cessna reported that she saw the PA38 ascend, but did not have time to avoid the collision. Both aircraft then returned to Bozeman and landed without further incident. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On June 26, 2001, approximately 1900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA38-112, N9341T, registered to and operated by the private pilot collided in mid-air about nine miles north of Bozeman, Montana, with a Cessna 172M, N80830, registered to Manhattan Flying Tigers Inc. and flown by a flight instructor. Both aircraft were operating as personal flights under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flights which departed from Bozeman, about 30 minutes prior to the collision. The Piper was substantially damaged and the Cessna received minor damage. Neither the private pilot in the Piper nor the flight instructor and passenger in the Cessna were injured. After the collision, both aircraft landed at Gallatin Field, Bozeman, without further incident. The pilot of the Piper reported that this was a flight of four aircraft (three PA38, and one Cessna) for the purpose of taking photos for a poster. The pilot stated that everyone met prior to takeoff for a briefing. The passenger in the Cessna was to take the photos. The pilot stated that the flight of aircraft were climbing to about 6,000 feet mean sea level to begin the formation. Two of the PA38's were a significant distance away and were still trying to maneuver closer. The Cessna was at about 6,200 feet and the accident PA38 was at about 6,000 feet and a little ahead and to the right of the Cessna. The pilot in the PA38 stated that he reduced power to slow down and maneuver below and to the left. As he was doing this, the aircraft encountered an updraft. The PA38 increased altitude and ascended up to the Cessna. The propeller of the Cessna made contact with the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the PA38 resulting in substantial damage. The pilot of the Cessna reported that she saw the PA38 ascend, but did not have time to avoid the collision. Both aircraft then returned to Bozeman and landed without further incident. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N9341T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9341T), registered now, S/N 38-78A0048, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0048 - Airframe hours: 2819 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert A. Marshall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2001, 58 hours before - Departed: BZN, Bozeman, MT ## Aircraft 3 - Registration: [N80830](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80830), registered now, S/N 17266764, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266764 - Airframe hours: 6863 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Linda H. Marshall - Registered owner: Manhattan Flying Tigers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2000, 366 hours before - Departed: BZN, Bozeman, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N9341T; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 25, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,927 total, 910 in this make and model, 1,811 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N80830; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 21, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 3,796 total, 747 in this make and model, 3,678 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BZN, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010626015969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010626015969A), Jun 26, 2001: Piper PA38112, Bozeman, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was flying N9341T and was to the right side of N80830 and 100 feet below. He then started a crossover maneuver going under and to… - [Accident 20010626015129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010626015129A), Jun 26, 2001: Cessna 172M, Bozeman, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated she was lead aircraft in a flight of four when tomahawk N9341T passed under and in front of her. She then stated the tail of the tomahawk… 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.