# NTSB SEA91LA043: Piper PA-18, N2787P, Wolf Point, MT, January 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Point, MT
- Coordinates: 48.27951, -105.660377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2795&lon=-105.6604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA043

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND HIS SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOWDRIFTS IN THE TAKEOFF AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED A SNOW DRIFT DURING TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON A SNOW COVERED FIELD.  THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2787P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2787P), registered now, S/N 18-4421, built 1955 (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
- Serial number: 18-4421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Doug J. Long
- Registered owner: Doug J. Long

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,030 total, 300 in this make and model, 888 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Observed at: GGW, 26 nm away

## 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 19910112002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910112002279A), Jan 12, 1991: Piper PA18, Wolf Point, MT, Substantial damage. Landed ski equipped aircraft on a snow covered farm field. On takeoff struck a snow drift and 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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