# NTSB SEA04LA077: Piper PA-18-105, N5483H, Laurel, MT, May 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2004, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.635833, -108.791664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6358&lon=-108.7917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59154/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance/altitude while maneuvering resulting in the inadvertent in-flight collision with water/terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot reported that he and his wife were sightseeing along the Yellowstone River just south of Laurel, Montana, when he spotted what he described as unusual animal tracks on a gravel sand bar adjacent to the river. He applied one notch of flaps and executed a 180 degree course reversal for a "low and slow look." The aircraft subsequently struck the water and nosed over. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft or its powerplant/systems. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2004, approximately 1245 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-105, N5483H, registered to and being operated/flown by a private pilot sustained substantial damage during inadvertent flight into terrain while maneuvering approximately two nautical miles south of Laurel, Montana. Neither the pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from Billings, Montana, at 1157. The pilot reported that he and his wife were sightseeing along the Yellowstone River just south of Laurel, Montana, when he spotted what he described as unusual animal tracks on a gravel sand bar adjacent to the river. He applied one notch of flaps and executed a 180 degree course reversal for a "low and slow look." He further reported "...In a moment I was hitting the water and then flipped forward and onto the back of the plane..." (refer to attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft or its powerplant/systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5483H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5483H), registered now, S/N 18-74, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-105 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-74 - Airframe hours: 3317 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harmon, Thomas M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2004, 15 hours before - Departed: BIL, Billings, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 15, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 903 total, 13 in this make and model, 903 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 15 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 20040501007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040501007079A), May 1, 2004: Piper PA18105SPEC, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 1, 2004, at approximately 1100 hours (mountain), the pilot and his passenger were flying eastbound directly over the yellowstone river, south of… ## Other investigations on N5483H (1) 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 DEN88LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA020), Nov 3, 1987: Piper PA-18-105 (N5483H), Monte Vista, CO, 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.