No fatalities

PIPER PA-12 accident at Judith Gap, MT, 8 Jul 2023

Judith Gap, MT, United States

On July 8, 2023, a PIPER PA-12 was involved in an aviation accident near Judith Gap, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Capability exceededPilotEffect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jul 2023 PIPER PA-12 accident near Judith Gap, MT?

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.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jul 2023 PIPER PA-12 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jul 2023 involved a PIPER PA-12, at Judith Gap, MT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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.