NTSB Prelim Released In Dual-Fatal Accident

Witnesses to a fatal accident in Silver Bow, MT, on August 15th said they saw the Piper Tomahawk which was on a training flight in a tight but loosening spiral just before impacting the ground. The accident fatally injured both the student and instructor in the aircraft.

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NTSB Identification: WPR11FA383
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, August 15, 2011 in Silver Bow, MT
Aircraft: PIPER PA-38-112, registration: N2584N
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 15, 2011, about 1130 MDT, a Piper PA-38-112, N2584N, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near Silver Bow, Montana. The airplane was registered to and operated by JJ Aviation, Butte, Montana, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Bert Mooney Airport (BTM), Butte, Montana, about 1030.

Numerous witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported observing the accident airplane spiraling from the sky at low altitude. One witness located about one-half mile south of the accident site reported that while driving his vehicle, he observed an airplane spinning out of the sky at a low altitude. The witness said that the airplane seemed to be in a fairly tight spin that progressively loosened as it descended below a hill out of his sight.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about 7 nautical miles west of BTM, at an elevation of about 5,355 feet mean sea level (msl). All major structural components of the airplane were observed within the wreckage debris path. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov