Piper PA-30 N7133Y
29 March 1991 · Butte, Montana, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 29 March 1991 at about 00:36 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N7133Y, operated by Michael Lynn Heling, was involved in an accident near Butte, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:36
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Butte, Montana, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bert Mooney (BTM)
- Coordinates
- 45.9996, -112.4408
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30
- Registration
- N7133Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Michael Lynn Heling
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Bismark → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91FA073
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISIONS, FUEL STARVATION, AND FAILURE TO PERFORM ALTERNATIVE IFR APPROACH PROCEDURES. FACTORS INCLUDE OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT, DISORIENTATION, AND LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-30 DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AFTER FAILURE OF BOTH ENGINES, AFTER THREE ILS APPROACH ATTEMPTS. DURING THE LANDING AFTER HIS EMERGENCY DESCENT, THE RIGHT WING-TIP STRUCK THE SNOW-COVERED SURFACE AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP SIDEWAYS. A TOTAL OF 10.75 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN ALOFT APPROXIMATELY 5.25 HOURS. WEATHER AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WAS VFR.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-30 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Big Rapids, Michigan, United States | Mecosta CTY Pilots Assn. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Nov 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Missing | Bolden, Goran S. | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Apr 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States | Frances McCully | Fatal | 1 |
| 18 Mar 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Thief River Fls, Minnesota, United States | June I. Steiger | Fatal | 4 |
| 11 Sep 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Ft. Carson, Colorado, United States | Rick L. Ownes | Fatal | 1 |
| 27 Jan 1991 | Piper PA-30 | Oppella, Arkansas, United States | Paul G. Jones | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr 1991 | Piper PA-18-125 | Ekalaka, Montana, United States | Erlend D. Laird | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1991 | Aeronca 7BCM | St. Xavier, Montana, United States | Robert W. EPP | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1991 | Cessna C175 | East Glacier, Montana, United States | Louis A. Sitzmann JR | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-25 | Musselshell, Montana, United States | Moore Quality Flying Service | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 1991 | Fleet FL-80 | Havre, Montana, United States | Thorpe, John | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-18-150 | Roy, Montana, United States | Edward R. Peigneux | No injuries | - |