# NTSB SEA79FTA03: Piper PA-18, N4053Z, Denton, MT, October 28, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 28, 1978
- Place: Denton, MT · DENTON, MT
- Location: 47.3222° N, 109.9485° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Denton, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3222&lon=-109.9485&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FTA03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3098  78/10/28   DENTON,MT           PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  1  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 23, 950
        TIME - 1030                    N4053Z              PX-  0  0  1  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 686 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DENTON,MT                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - VORTEX TURBULENCE
        REMARKS- HIT OWN WAKE TURB WHILE CHECKING CATTLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4053Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4053Z), registered now, S/N 18-8056, built 1963 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (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 19781028032519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781028032519A), Oct 28, 1978: Piper PA18150, Denton, MT, Destroyed. Hit own wake turb while checking cattle.

## Other investigations on N4053Z (1)

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 UNK64X2215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2215), Jun 10, 1964: Piper PA18 (N4053Z), Karinen, SD, 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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