# NTSB SEA76FTI31: Piper PA-18, N7490L, Helena, MT, July 13, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 13, 1976
- 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 154333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA76FTI31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FTI31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1877  76/7/13  NR.HELENA,MT          PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 57, 2300
        TIME - 2028                    N7490L              PX-  1  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 1500 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CRAIG,MT                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- FLT IN SEARCH FOR CATTLE. ACFT STRUCK UNMRKD PWRLN. RECOVERY DATE JUL 14.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7490L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7490L-1976-09-07), registration cancelled 1976-09-07, S/N 18-7509086 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760713021699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760713021699A), Jul 13, 1976: Piper PA18S125, Helena, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flt in search for cattle. Acft struck unmrkd pwrln. Recovery date jul 14.

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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