# NTSB SEA76ATI15: Piper PA-18, N3474Z, Big Timber, MT, March 2, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 2, 1976
- Place: Big Timber, MT · BIG TIMBER, MT
- Location: 45.8348° N, 109.9483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Timber, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8348&lon=-109.9483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA76ATI15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76ATI15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0778   76/3/2  NR.BIG TIMBER,MT      PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 1390
        TIME - 1645                    N3474Z              PX-  0  1  0  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 80 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BIG TIMBER,MT                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WHITEOUT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- PAX STATED THERE WAS NO VISIBLE HORIZON. GAME COUNT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3474Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3474Z-2012-04-17), registration cancelled 2012-04-17, S/N 18-7301, built 1960 (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 19760302003899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760302003899A), Mar 2, 1976: Piper PA18150, Big Timber, MT, Substantial damage. Pax stated there was no visible horizon. Game count.

## Other investigations on N3474Z (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 SEA91LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA145), Jun 10, 1991: Piper PA-18-150 (N3474Z), Corvallis, OR, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT DISPLAYED POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

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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