# NTSB SEA76DTI13: Piper PA-18A, N9488D, Fairfield, MT, September 29, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 29, 1975
- Place: Fairfield, MT · FAIRFIELD, MT
- Location: 47.6154° N, 111.9813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairfield, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6154&lon=-111.9813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 4, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA76DTI13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DTI13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3022  75/9/29  NR.FAIRFIELD,MT       PIPER PA-18A        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 234
        TIME - 1715                    N9488D              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 26 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HELENA,MT                   CHOTEAU,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO INITIATE GO-AROUND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      60
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- LOST PWR,CARB ICE.ENG CAUGHT ABT 30FT AGL,PLT DECIDED TO LND IN FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9488D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9488D), registered now, S/N 18-6740, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (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 19750929031239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750929031239A), Sep 29, 1975: Piper PA18A150, Fairfield, MT, Substantial damage. Lost pwr,carb ice. Eng caught abt 30FT AGL,plt decided to lnd in fld.

## Other investigations on N9488D (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 ANC12CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA053), Jun 17, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N9488D), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi.
- [NTSB ANC06CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA085), Jul 7, 2006: Piper PA-18-180 (N9488D), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll, and an on ground encounter with terrain. Factors associated with the accident are…

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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