# NTSB SEA03CA102: Piper PA-18, N82946, Silver City, MT, June 14, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 14, 2003, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, MT
- Coordinates: 46.749168, -112.180274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7492&lon=-112.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA102

## Probable cause

Proper descent rate not maintained while on final approach.  A wind gust is a factor in the accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind while on short final.  The pilot applied power, however, the airplane contacted terrain short of the intended runway resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On June 14, 2003, at 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N82946, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain short of runway 26 at the Silver City Airport, Silver City, Montana.  The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) pleasure flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91.  The airline transport pilot and passenger of the two-seat aircraft were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight.  The flight originated from Helena, Montana, approximately 15 minutes prior the accident.

In a written report dated June 18, 2003, the pilot stated that the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind while on short final.  The pilot applied power, however, the airplane contacted terrain short of the intended runway resulting in substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82946](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82946), registered now, S/N 18-7809030, built 1977 (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: 18-7809030
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David M. Hoon
- Registered owner: David M. Hoon
- Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT
- Destination: MT18, HELENA, MT
- Airport: MT18, Silver City, runway 26

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 4,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030614010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030614010559A), Jun 14, 2003: Piper PA18150, Silver City, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) First approach anticipating full stop. Normal downwind. Normal final 50 miles per hour short of fence. On short final pilot felt aircraft start to sink.…

## Other investigations on N82946 (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 FTW83LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA216), Apr 30, 1983: Piper PA-18-150 (N82946), Roswell, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW80DQA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DQA37), Jul 19, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N82946), Roswell, NM, 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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