Piper PA-12 N4135M

Summary

On 8 July 2023 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N4135M was involved in an accident near Judith Gap, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 July 2023 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Judith Gap, Montana, United States

Coordinates

46.6595, -109.7439

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N4135M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lewistown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA266

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to take off on a soft field that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with a pole and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he “failed to recon” the field he had just landed on. During his departure attempt, high density altitude and soft ground led to a longer than expected takeoff roll. While maneuvering to avoid a bank on the opposite side of a road the airplane struck a power pole resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.