# NTSB SEA91LA004: Piper PA28-140, N6660W, Hamilton, MT, October 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1990, 18:00 local (Oct 11, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, MT
- Coordinates: 46.159378, -114.139762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1594&lon=-114.1398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COUNTINUED TO SINK AND STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6660W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21280
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brandborg, Daniel M
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: 6S5, Ravalli Co., runway 34, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 106 total, 2 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901010045169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901010045169A), Oct 10, 1990: Piper PA28140, Hamilton, MT, Substantial damage. Low on final struck bushes short of runway causing wing to hit ditch. Was able to taxi onto runway and ramp.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.