# NTSB SEA05CA148: Piper PA-16, N5942H, Park City, MT, July 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2005, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Park City, MT - Coordinates: 45.673053, -108.870002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6731&lon=-108.8700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA148 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the loose gravel, ditch, and the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis After measuring the north-south gravel road's width as being 36 feet, and noting that her airplane's wingspan was 30 feet, the pilot elected to takeoff south on the crowned, downhill road with telephone wires bordering it on the east. Staying to the right during the takeoff roll on the loose gravel, the pilot got off into a bordering ditch, then into the adjoining wheat field before ground looping across the road and impacting a fence. The outboard left wing, left forward wing lift strut, left landing gear, and propeller were damaged. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2005, at 1215 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA-16 airplane, N5942H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while taking off near Park City, Montana. The certificated private pilot and her sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Shoshone Country Airport, Kellogg, Idaho, at 0700 Pacific daylight time, and was destined for the Laurel Municipal Airport (6S8), Laurel, Montana. In a written statement and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after exhausting her fuel supply the engine quit, necessitating an uneventful forced landing to a wheat field approximately 4 nautical miles west of 6S8. The pilot stated that a [north/south] gravel road bordered the field on the east side; however, she elected to land in the wheat field rather than the road due to telephone poles bordering the road on the east. After securing 5 gallons of fuel and measuring the width of the road, which was 36 feet wide, versus her 30 foot wide wingspan, the pilot elected to take off on the road and proceed to 6S8. The pilot reported that she decided to take off on the right side of the road in order to let her right wing extend over the field, there was plenty of length, and the strip was downhill. The pilot stated, "The gravel on the right was loose and the road had a slight crown, and I got off into the ditch, went up into the field and ground looped to the left across the road and impacted a wire fence. There was also a slight crosswind from the east." The pilot reported the left wing outboard from the taxi/landing light was damaged, the left forward wing lift strut [was] bent, the left gear collapsed, and the propeller tips were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5942H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5942H), registered now, S/N 16-564, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-16 - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (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: 16-564 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Patricia H. Bruck - Registered owner: Patricia H. Bruck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S83, Kellog, ID - Destination: 6S8, Laurel, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,667 total, 1,511 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 25 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 20050720020579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050720020579A), Jul 20, 2005: Piper PA16, Park City, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft ran out of fuel and made a forced landing in a wheat field. Pilot fueled aircraft and attempted to take off. The aircraft veered off into a… ## Other investigations on N5942H (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 ANC13CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA034), Mar 17, 2013: Piper PA-16 (N5942H), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain. - [NTSB SEA02LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA102), Jun 15, 2002: Piper PA-16 (N5942H), Umpqua, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for unfavorable wind conditions and maintain clearance from the terrain during an attempted VFR go-around. Factors include an encounter with unfavorable… 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.