# NTSB SEA93LA106: Piper PA-36, N56542, Fort Benton, MT, May 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1993, 20:30 local (May 9, 1993, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Benton, MT
- Coordinates: 47.97961, -110.799476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9796&lon=-110.7995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA106

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, POOR WEATHER EVALUATION AND ALTITUDE NOT MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL WHEN IT FLEW UNDER A SQUALL LINE. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FILED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56542](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56542-2001-02-08), registration cancelled 2001-02-08, S/N 36-7360055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7360055
- Airframe hours: 2530
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fultz, Wilbur R.
- Registered owner: Fultz, Wilbur R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1992, 120 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,624 total, 180 in this make and model, 1,541 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °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 19930508013399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930508013399A), May 8, 1993: Piper PA36285, Fort Benton, MT, Substantial damage. Flew low under rain squall. Downdraft forced aircraft to land in open field. Aircraft nosed up.

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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