# NTSB SEA77FTA07: Piper PA-18, N2989Z, Miles City, MT, January 17, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 17, 1977
- Place: Miles City, MT · MILES CITY, MT
- Location: 46.4058° N, 105.8389° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miles City, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4058&lon=-105.8389&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA77FTA07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTA07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0070  77/1/17  NR.MILES CITY,MT      PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 25, 450
        TIME - 1030                    N2989Z              PX-  0  0  1  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HUGHES RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MILES CITY,MT                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        REMARKS- LNDD IN 12 INCH DEEP SNOW,NOSED OVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2989Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2989Z-2026-10-10), registration cancelled 2026-10-10, S/N 18-7105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Hughes Ranch

## 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 19770117000369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770117000369A), Jan 17, 1977: Piper PA18, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage. Lndd in 12 inch deep snow,nosed over.

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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