# NTSB SEA79FT124: Piper PA-24, N5791P, Big Sandy, MT, August 29, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 29, 1979
- Place: Big Sandy, MT · BIG SANDY, MT
- Location: 48.1786° N, 110.1133° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Sandy, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1786&lon=-110.1133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FT124
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FT124

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2410  79/8/29    BIG SANDY,MT        PIPER PA-24         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 126
        TIME - 2030                    N5791P              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 24 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BIG SANDY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CONRAD,MT                   BIG SANDY,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- HIT PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5791P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5791P-1980-10-10), registration cancelled 1980-10-10, S/N 24870 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Big Sandy

## 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 19790829023639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790829023639A), Aug 29, 1979: Piper PA24, Big Sandy, MT, Substantial damage. Struck power lines on final approach to runway. Factors: dusk and too low on approach.

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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