Piper PA-28-140 N7296J

Summary

On 7 May 1989 at about 01:40 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N7296J, operated by Profenzano, Salvatore T., was involved in an accident near Livingston, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 1989 at 01:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Livingston, Montana, United States

Coordinates

45.7002, -110.5310

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N7296J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Profenzano, Salvatore T.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bozeman → Livingston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89FA117

2 people were seriously injured.

THE POOR JUDGEMENT DISPLAYED BY THE PILOT WHEN HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE AT EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PULL-UP REQUIRED AND STRUCK TREES.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT TREE TOP LEVEL OVER A TREE COVERED MOUNTAINOUS AREA SOUTH OF LIVINGSTON, MONTANA. THE PRIVATE PLT WAS MAKING SEVERAL PASSES OVER MILITARY UNITS CONDUCTING SUMMER CAMP TRAINING EXERCISES, WHEN THE THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'BUZZED' TREE TOPS SEVERAL TIMES. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.