Casualties unknown

Uncertified Pilot Gives Rides at Horse Sale, Spins Aircraft During Low Pass (N98833)

Jordan, MT, US

On September 7, 1997, a Piper J-3 (registration N98833) was involved in an aviation accident near Jordan, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate remedial action during an inadvertent stall/spin entry. Factors include buzzing, a rapid pull-up, and failure to maintain proper airspeed (Vs). 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 person without an FAA pilot certificate was giving rides at a horse sale, performing low passes with steep pull-ups. On the accident flight, the aircraft entered a spin during a steep pull-up and the pilot did not recover.

Accident Details

An individual who was not a certificated pilot was giving aircraft rides to attendees of a horse sale at a ranch. According to witnesses, the person flying the aircraft told several people at the event that he did not possess an FAA pilot's certificate. Subsequent searches of FAA records confirmed that he was not a certificated pilot.

During the rides, the pilot would take off from a field near the sale location and perform a series of low passes, each concluding with a steep pull-up. On the accident flight, the pilot made a low pass, pulled up steeply, and appeared to be initiating a turn near the top of the pull-up. As the aircraft slowed at the apex of the climb, it entered a spin. The pilot did not recover from the spin.

The accident occurred during the horse sale. Witnesses reported observing the event. No further details about the aircraft or injuries have been provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08928. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.