- Date
- July 26, 1998, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place
- Columbus, MT
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N1252CPiper PA-18
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 6, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980726024839A
- Case key
- 43231
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Partial loss of power for undetermined reasons. Factors include the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that the engine was running rough, and he elected to make an off-field precautionary landing. He stated that he had checked the carburetor heat and magnetos, and had pumped the throttle; however, his measures were insufficient to improve the situation. He elected to make his precautionary landing in a hayfield; braking for the short field and obstructions resulted in the airplane nosing over. FAA inspectors inspected the airplane and engine after it was removed from the accident scene and found no evidence of a mechanical problem that could have resulted in a rough-running engine.
Factual narrative
On July 26, 1998, approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N1252C, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over in a field during a precautionary landing south of Columbus, Montana, after the pilot noted that the engine was running roughly. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which had originated at Laurel, Montana about 0830. There was no report of an ELT actuating.
The pilot stated that the engine was running rough, and he elected to make an off-field precautionary landing. He stated that he had checked the carburetor heat and magnetos, and had pumped the throttle; however, his measures were insufficient to improve the situation. He elected to make a precautionary landing in a hayfield; braking for the short field and obstructions resulted in the airplane nosing over.
FAA inspectors inspected the airplane and engine after it was removed from the accident scene and found no evidence of a mechanical problem that could have resulted in a rough-running engine.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1252C
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-2491
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Northern Skies Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed
- Laurel, MT
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 226 total · 121 in this make and model · 16 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N1252C · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.