Piper PA-12 accident near Judith Gap, Montana, July 8, 2023
On July 8, 2023 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1947 Piper PA-12, registered N4135M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Judith Gap, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2023 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Judith Gap, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12, built 1947 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N4135M · registry record · serial 12-3034
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Takeoff distance › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Pole › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft surface › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 240 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 148 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 19, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,534.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,205 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLWT Lewistown MT at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from KLWT, 26 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLWT 082054Z AUTO 14009KT 10SM SCT075 24/08 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE AND S SLP128 T02440078 57007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 2, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.