# NTSB SEA78FTI23: Piper PA-28, N9875W, Augusta, MT, July 14, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 14, 1978
- Place: Augusta, MT · AUGUSTA, MT
- Location: 47.4893° N, 112.3922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Augusta, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4893&lon=-112.3922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FTI23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FTI23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1920  78/7/14  NR.AUGUSTA,MT         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 78 TOTAL
        TIME - 2100                    N9875W              PX-  0  1  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 28 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - USFS BENCHMARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         AUGUSTA,MT                   GREAT FALLS,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        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                                                      70
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- NR MAX GROSS WT. DENSITY ALT 7500FT. TKOF UPSLOPE INTO RISING TERRAIN. SETTLED IN TREES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9875W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9875W-1982-04-15), registration cancelled 1982-04-15, S/N 28-23395 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Usfs Benchmark

## 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 19780714018719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780714018719A), Jul 14, 1978: Piper PA28140, Augusta, MT, Destroyed. Nr max gross wt. Density alt 7500FT. Tkof upslope into rising ter. Settled in trees.

## Other investigations on N9875W (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 SEA77FTA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTA26), Jul 4, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N9875W), Billings, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN73DTE80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTE80), May 19, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N9875W), Longmont, CO, substantial damage

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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