# NTSB SEA71FDG05: Piper PA-23, N1279P, Helena, MT, July 16, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 16, 1970
- Place: Helena, MT · HELENA, MT
- Location: 46.5955° N, 112.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Helena, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5955&lon=-112.0187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 108954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA71FDG05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71FDG05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3036  70/7/16    HELENA,MONT         PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 1200
        TIME - 1445                    N1279P              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HELENA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HELENA,MONT                 SEATTLE,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUSED OR FAILED TO USE FLAPS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY WEATHER BUREAU PERSONEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    16000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     HEAD WIND 338-022 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           91                                                       60
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           12                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- PLT USED 15 DEG FLAPS,DID NOT USE FULL THROTTLE. DENSITY ALT ABOUT 6300 FT. SETTLED WITH GR UP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1279P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1279P-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N 23-313, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Helena

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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