# NTSB SEA76DTI19: Stearman PT-17, N60131, Marias Pass, MT, January 23, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 23, 1976
- Place: Marias Pass, MT · MARIAS PASS, MT
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 8, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA76DTI19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DTI19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0179  76/1/23  NR.MARIAS PASS,MT     STEARMAN PT-17      CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 292
        TIME - 1115                    N60131              PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CUT BANK,MT                 KALISPELL,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 10000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      28
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          335                                                       50
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- FORECAST HDWINDS & TURBC IN PASS.TKOF WHEN WINDS DIMINISHED.ENCOUNTERED TURBC & DOWNDRAFT.NO RADIO
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60131](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60131), registered now, S/N 75-3200, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEARMAN PT-17
- Registry model: [Boeing PT-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-pt-17) (registry code 1380136) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, 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 19760123001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760123001259A), Jan 23, 1976: Boeing PT17, Marias Pass, MT, Substantial damage. Forecast hdwinds & turbc in Pass. Tkof when winds diminished. Encountered turbc & downdraft. No radio

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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