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NTSB Report
December 25, 1984 · Piper PA-18 · N3180Z
Poplar, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Poplar, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3180Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA050
ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT 'LOW AND SLOW' TO LOOK FOR DEER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED THE POWER BACK TO GLIDE DOWN AND OBSERVE WILDLIFE AND WHEN HE REAPPLIED POWER THERE WAS SEVERE HESITATION AND THE ENG DID NOT PICK UP RPM. HE PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN TO GAIN AIRSPEED AND HIT A HILLTOP WITH THE LANDING GEAR. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TERRAIN AS HILLY AND REPORTED THE WINDS TO BE AT 18 KTS GUSTING TO 26 KTS. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS -10 DEG F. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE GLIDE.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT 'LOW AND SLOW' TO LOOK FOR DEER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED THE POWER BACK TO GLIDE DOWN AND OBSERVE WILDLIFE AND WHEN HE REAPPLIED POWER THERE WAS SEVERE HESITATION AND THE ENG DID NOT PICK UP RPM. HE PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN TO GAIN AIRSPEED AND HIT A HILLTOP WITH THE LANDING GEAR. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE TERRAIN AS HILLY AND REPORTED THE WINDS TO BE AT 18 KTS GUSTING TO 26 KTS. THE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS -10 DEG F. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE GLIDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3180Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 18 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point-9 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO