Piper PA-38-112 and Cessna 172M mid-air collision near Bozeman, Montana, June 27, 2001
On June 27, 2001 at about 1:00 am local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA-38-112 (N9341T) and Cessna 172M (N80830), were involved in a mid-air collision near Bozeman, Montana. No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from another aircraft while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor.
The pilot of another aircraft failed to maintain clearance while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2001 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Bozeman, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N9341T · registry record · serial 38-78A0048
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N80830 · registry record · serial 17266764
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-38-112 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while maneuvering for a formation flight, his aircraft encountered an updraft and ascended up to the second aircraft. The propeller of the second aircraft contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the first aircraft. Both aircraft were able to return to the departure airport and land without further incident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172M final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a second aircraft reported that while maneuvering for a formation flight, his aircraft encountered an updraft and ascended up to the first aircraft. The propeller of the first aircraft contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the second aircraft. Both aircraft were able to return to the departure airport and land without further incident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper PA-38-112 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,927 hours in all; 910 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,811 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 25, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,819 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2001; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BZN Bozeman MT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,796 hours in all; 747 in this make and model; 124 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 3,678 as pilot in command; 1,885 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 21, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,863 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 2000; 366 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BZN Bozeman MT
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.