# NTSB WPR10LA180: Piper PA-22-150, N3351Z, Terry, MT, March 25, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2010, 23:30 local (Mar 25, 2010, 05:30 UTC) - Place: Terry, MT - Coordinates: 46.777221, -105.313056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7772&lon=-105.3131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA (Helena FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 75583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75583/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75583 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting winds. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power on final approach due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot having to divert due to deteriorating weather conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who elected to make a nighttime visual-flight-rules, cross-country business flight, did not acquire a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Direct User Access Terminal weather briefing prior to departure. Instead he gathered his weather information by making a phone call to an acquaintance who was located at his destination and by checking with the FAA's Flight Watch while en route. As he proceeded toward his destination the pilot began flying over a scattered-to-broken cloud layer, which eventually turned to overcast as he neared his destination. After realizing that he would not be able to get into his planned destination, he attempted to get to another airport, but the weather also deteriorated at that airport as well. The pilot then reversed course and headed back in the direction he had come from in the hopes of finding an airport that had visual meteorological conditions (VMC). He was eventually able to descend through a hole in the clouds, but had to pass up the nearest airport because of the bad weather there. He eventually located an airport with VMC, but his airplane ran out of fuel while on a half-mile final. Although he was able to glide to the approach end of the runway, the pilot reported that he landed on the threshold and the airplane bounced once, then settled on the runway. As the tail came down, a gust of wind hit the airplane, which subsequently ground-looped and resulted in substantial damage to the lower left side longeron. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2010, about 2330 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 Pacer, N3351Z, ground-looped at Terry Airport, Terry, Montana, after experiencing fuel exhaustion while on final approach. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the airplane, which was owned by DEM Cattle Company, sustained substantial damage to the left side lower longeron. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight, which departed Billings, Montana, about four hours prior to the accident, was en route to New Town, North Dakota. The landing was being made in night visual meteorological conditions (VMC). No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he did not seek a weather briefing from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Service Station or a DUAT (Direct User Access Terminal) provider prior to departure. Instead he called an acquaintance at his destination in order to find out what the current weather was, and what the forecast for the area was expected to be around the time of his arrival. While en route he contacted Flight Watch, the FAA's en route flight advisory service, to get an update on the weather at New Town. Flight Watch advised him that the weather around the New Town area was marginal VFR, with a current visibility of 10 miles, but with broken ceilings between 700 and 1,000 feet above ground level (agl). Once he got to a point about 20 to 25 miles east of Miles City, Montana, he began flying over a scattered to broken layer of clouds, which he eventually discovered reached all the way to his destination. As he continued on toward his destination, the clouds below him became a solid overcast, so he elected not to continue on to New Town, but instead asked Flight Watch to direct him to an airport that had visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flight watch advised him that the weather in Dixon, North Dakota was still VFR, so the pilot started flying in that direction. But, by the time he got to within about 30 miles of Dixon, the weather had deteriorated there as well. At that time Flight Watch advised the pilot that his next best option was Bismarck, North Dakota, but the pilot decided to turn back toward the west to see if he could find an open airport in the direction he had originally come from. As he headed back toward the west, the pilot was able to make contact with Minneapolis Center, whereupon he advised them of his "low fuel" conditions, and his desire to find an airport with VMC. The pilot was eventually able to descend through a hole in the clouds near Glendive, Montana, and although he initially thought about trying to land at Dawson Community Airport in Glendive, because of the weather conditions there, he elected to follow State Highway 94 further to the west. As he neared Terry, Montana, which is located about 35 miles southwest of Glendive, the weather conditions had improved enough that he decided to land at Terry Airport, which is located within one-quarter mile of State Highway 94.While on a straight-in to runway 26, and still about one-half mile east of the runway threshold, the airplane ran out of fuel, and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was able to stretch his glide to reach the threshold, but during the night downwind flare/touchdown on the unlighted runway, the airplane encountered a significant wind gust resulting in a ground-loop. A post-accident inspection confirmed that there was no fuel left in the airplanes fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3351Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3351Z-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 22-7291, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-7291 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel Miller - Registered owner: Dem Cattle Co Lp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2009 - Departed: KBIL, Billings Logan, MT - Destination: 05D, New Town, ND - Airport: 8U6, Terry Airport, runway 26, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 754 total, 230 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: variable at 25 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg ## 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 20100324031219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100324031219A), Mar 24, 2010: Piper PA-22-150, Terry, MT, Substantial damage. On March 24, 2010 at approxamately 2230 MST, a Piper PA-22-150, N3351Z, registered to dem cattle co lp, and piloted by daniel c miller, lost power on final due… ## Other investigations on N3351Z (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 MIA70FKQ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70FKQ09), May 30, 1970: Piper PA-22 (N3351Z), Roxie, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75583. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Image 1. View of the front left side of airplane, showing bent lower left fuselage longeron. (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%201.%20View%20of%20the%20front%20left%20side%20of%20airplane,%20showing%20bent%20lower%20left%20fuselage%20longeron.-Master.PDF 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.