- Date
- June 8, 2004, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place
- Trego, MT
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N7094DPiper PA-18A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 3, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- FAA report
- 20040608010209A
- Case key
- 59413
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure to maintain clearance from trees during the initial climb.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that the takeoff roll and liftoff were normal, however, shortly after becoming airborne he experienced a lower than normal rate of climb. As the airplane approached the end of the field, the pilot turned to the west toward lower terrain in an effort to clear the approaching tree line. The pilot stated that after initiating the turn, the airplane collided with trees and ultimately impacted terrain in an inverted, nose-low attitude. The departure airstrip is approximately 2,000 feet in length and is bordered by large trees. The field elevation is approximately 2,800 feet MSL. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.
Factual narrative
On June 8, 2004, about 0900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18A, N7094D, was destroyed after colliding with trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from an alfalfa field/airstrip near Trego, Montana. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under the provisions of 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries in the accident. The airplane is owned by Kasilof Fisheries, Inc, of Trego, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot's planned destination was Eureka, Montana.
In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC on June 14, the pilot reported that the takeoff roll and liftoff were normal, however, shortly after becoming airborne he experienced a lower than normal rate of climb. As the airplane approached the end of the field, the pilot turned to the west toward lower terrain in an effort to clear the approaching tree line. The pilot stated that after initiating the turn, the airplane collided with trees and ultimately impacted terrain in an inverted, nose-low attitude.
The departure airstrip is approximately 2,000 feet in length and is bordered by large trees. The field elevation is approximately 2,800 feet MSL.
No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7094D
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-5584
- Airframe hours
- 7,000
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- Chance W. Chacon
- Registered owner
- Kasilof Fisheries, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 24, 2004 · 1.5 hours before
- Departed
- Trego, MT
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- June 30, 2003
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 1,300 total · 400 in this make and model · 1,100 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.94 inHg
- Observed at
- KFCA, 38 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.