Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Distraction and Stall in Ranch Building Incident (N4610Y)

Galen, MT, US

On January 15, 1983, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N4610Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Galen, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot stated he was momentarily distracted by an outside observation, leading to an overly steep climb and subsequent stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported being distracted by an outside observation during a climbing turn, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft hit the ground, bounced through a fence, and came to rest in a ditch.

Incident Overview

Witnesses reported that the pilot circled around some ranch buildings before initiating a steep climbing turn. The pilot later stated that he was momentarily distracted by an outside observation, causing the climb to become too steep, and the plane subsequently stalled. The pilot attempted a recovery, but the aircraft struck the ground in a wings-level attitude while still settling.

Sequence of Events

After impacting the ground, the aircraft bounced through a fence, slid down a slope along another fence, and finally came to rest in a ditch. The pilot provided this account of the sequence following the initial ground contact.

Pilot Statement

The pilot's own description indicates that the distraction led to an excessive climb angle, resulting in a stall. No further details regarding the nature of the distraction or the specific circumstances of the flight were provided in the source.

Probable cause

The pilot stated he was momentarily distracted by an outside observation, leading to an overly steep climb and subsequent stall.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X41974. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.