# NTSB SEA74FTA16: Piper PA-18, N4045Z, Hinsdale, MT, January 27, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 27, 1974
- Place: Hinsdale, MT · HINSDALE, MT
- Location: 48.3963° N, 107.0889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hinsdale, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3963&lon=-107.0889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74FTA16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FTA16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0450  74/1/27    HINSDALE,MONT       PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 21, 1400
        TIME - 1600                    N4045Z              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 310 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MALTA,MONT                  OPHEIM,MONT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          BLOWING SNOW                                              30
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       6
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- SNOW COVERED RANGE.ACFT STRUCK HARD DRIFT AND FLIPPED OVER DURING PRECAUTIONARY LDG DUE ENRTE WEA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4045Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4045Z), registered now, S/N 18-8007, built 1963 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19740127000529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740127000529A), Jan 27, 1974: Piper PA18150, Hinsdale, MT, Substantial damage. Snow covered range. Acft struck hard drift and flipped over during precautionary ldg due enrte wea.

## Other investigations on N4045Z (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 SEA73FTA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FTA03), Nov 15, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N4045Z), Sand Springs, MT, 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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