FARK.com: (7683448) Thirty-five years ago, a hiker stumbled upon a plane crash in the mountains of Montana, with no evidence of survivors at the scene. Now, the crash seems to live only in its discoverer's memory, as not even the NTSB has any record of it ever occurring

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		Thirty-five years ago, a hiker stumbled upon a plane crash in the mountains of Montana, with no evidence of survivors at the scene. Now, the crash seems to live only in its discoverer's memory, as not even the NTSB has any record of it ever occurring (greatfallstribune.com)		104
		More: Weird, National Transportation Safety Board, mountains

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Peter von Nostrand		2013-04-04 07:52:57 PM

I would like to have seen Montana

*ack*

Nadie_AZ		2013-04-04 07:57:42 PM

Was the airplane black?

This is exactly what *they* want you to think.

2xhelix		2013-04-04 08:27:40 PM

Hunter=hiker?

doglover		2013-04-04 08:35:30 PM

2xhelix: Hunter=hiker?

If he's a bad shot.

Charlie Freak		2013-04-04 08:36:53 PM

NTSB Identification: SEA78FTI23
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28, registration: N9875W
--------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------
FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA
F S M/N PURPOSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------
3-1920 78/7/14 NR.AUGUSTA,MT PIPER PA-28 CR- 0 0 1 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 30, 78 TOTAL
TIME - 2100 N9875W PX- 0 1 1 PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP HOURS, 28 IN TYPE, NOT
DAMAGE-DESTROYED OT- 0 0 0 INSTRUMENT RATED.
NAME OF AIRPORT - USFS BENCHMARK
DEPARTURE POINT INTENDED DESTINATION
AUGUSTA,MT GREAT FALLS,MT
TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION
STALL: MUSH TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
FACTOR(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
SKY CONDITION CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
CLEAR UNLIMITED
VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED) NONE
OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE TEMPERATURE-F
NONE 70
TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
VFR NONE
REMARKS- NR MAX GROSS WT. DENSITY ALT 7500FT. TKOF UPSLOPE INTO RISING TERRAIN. SETTLED IN TREES.

AdolfOliverPanties		2013-04-04 08:54:22 PM

Great idea for a movie of some kind.

dugitman		2013-04-04 09:03:48 PM

Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

labman		2013-04-04 09:19:20 PM

dugitman: worst.mystery.ever

They just added that to their database to cover up the fact it was really a UFO.

wiredroach		2013-04-04 09:24:48 PM

Charlie Freak: NTSB Identification: SEA78FTI23
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28, registration: N9875W
--------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------
FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA
F S M/N PURPOSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------
3-1920 78/7/14 NR.AUGUSTA,MT PIPER PA-28 CR- 0 0 1 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 30, 78 TOTAL
TIME - 2100 N9875W PX- 0 1 1 PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP HOURS, 28 IN TYPE, NOT
DAMAGE-DESTROYED OT- 0 0 0 INSTRUMENT RATED.
NAME OF AIRPORT - USFS BENCHMARK
DEPARTURE POINT INTENDED DESTINATION
AUGUSTA,MT GREAT FALLS,MT
TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION
STALL: MUSH TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
FACTOR(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
SKY CONDITION CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
CLEAR UNLIMITED
VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
5 OR OVER(U ...

Yeah, but do they have any information?

MemeSlave		2013-04-04 09:24:49 PM

He lives now ... only in my memory.

theeradicatorreviews.com

vodka		2013-04-04 09:25:22 PM

rufus is +10

Charlie Freak		2013-04-04 09:27:37 PM

dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

wallywam1		2013-04-04 09:29:22 PM

Charlie Freak: [details]

pwned

AverageAmericanGuy		2013-04-04 09:30:01 PM

And on April 3, 1996, Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown's aircraft detonated in mid-air and crashed in Bosnia. Brown's body was found with a single gunshot wound to the top of his head.

The government takes people out like this all the time.

fusillade762		2013-04-04 09:30:15 PM

If only planes had some kind of identifying markings so you tell which was which...

The land, known as the Hidden Valley Ranch

Now I have a sudden hankering for salad.

Kanemano		2013-04-04 09:33:00 PM

Were these the hikers?
www.alicia-logic.com

Probably because the plane was full of WEED

kokomo61		2013-04-04 09:36:29 PM

fusillade762: If only planes had some kind of identifying markings so you tell which was which...

The land, known as the Hidden Valley Ranch

Now I have a sudden hankering for salad.

You know who makes Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, don't you?

www.mediabistro.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranch_dressing

jaytkay		2013-04-04 09:37:36 PM

...When Van Horssen, a pilot himself, hiked to the crash site, he could tell the plane was upside down...

That's some fine detective work there, Lou

halB		2013-04-04 09:38:06 PM

Drug plane. Or CIA plane.

I don't know, I'm pretty sure Burn Notice explained it.

Watubi		2013-04-04 09:38:54 PM

I'd like to know what happens on a property to where a plane crashing on it isn't a memorable event

Fano		2013-04-04 09:41:28 PM

maybe the farker who located the family of the gravesite in the woods he found could help out.

Texas Gabe		2013-04-04 09:42:44 PM

kokomo61: fusillade762: If only planes had some kind of identifying markings so you tell which was which...

The land, known as the Hidden Valley Ranch

Now I have a sudden hankering for salad.

You know who makes Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, don't you?

[www.mediabistro.com image 300x234]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranch_dressing

Unless they're using the same damn mixing bowl for both, what's you point?

WoodGnome		2013-04-04 09:42:58 PM

Aliens.

Rufus Lee King		2013-04-04 09:42:58 PM

King Nine will not return.

img.rp.vhd.me

part of the problem		2013-04-04 09:45:25 PM

Watubi: I'd like to know what happens on a property to where a plane crashing on it isn't a memorable event

When your back yard is the size of Delaware this kind of thing happens.....

Jacobin		2013-04-04 09:51:28 PM

That story went nowhere

gweilo8888		2013-04-04 09:52:35 PM

Charlie Freak: It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

It's also a single-engine aircraft, and the article uses "propeller" in the singular.

starlost		2013-04-04 09:56:22 PM

and he had a very casual attitude about the plane crash at the time. why didn't he do more then only tell the property owner? he did squat for years and now his curiosity or guilt has motivated him to do something. if i was a pilot and already was in the loop about things like this i sure as hell would have spent a few hours contacting the authorities about this.

Purdue_Pete		2013-04-04 10:00:13 PM

I think there were some priests on the plane.. not sure.

www.07968826871.com

White_Scarf_Syndrome		2013-04-04 10:02:39 PM

Fano: maybe the farker who located the family of the gravesite in the woods he found could help out.

I was just thinking of that...was there a follow up? He found her?

Outshined_One		2013-04-04 10:03:18 PM

They're on it.

MadAzza		2013-04-04 10:06:02 PM

Charlie Freak: dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

15 miles is about 14.5 miles too far for a crash due to failure to abort takeoff.

FARK rebel soldier		2013-04-04 10:13:05 PM

crash in the mountains of Montana

Oh yeah, that was me. Right here. My airplane crashed and threw its passengers in the mountains of Montana
209.160.24.96

little big man		2013-04-04 10:23:33 PM

White_Scarf_Syndrome: Fano: maybe the farker who located the family of the gravesite in the woods he found could help out.

I was just thinking of that...was there a follow up? He found her?

Yup: http://times-news.com/local/x2015915152/Hunter-s-family-sheds-light-o n -Dan-s-Mountain-memorial

ozarkmatt		2013-04-04 10:27:41 PM

Kanemano: Probably because the plane was full of WEED

Damn, the Doobie Brothers broke up.

Charlie Freak		2013-04-04 10:31:33 PM

MadAzza: Charlie Freak: dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

15 miles is about 14.5 miles too far for a crash due to failure to abort takeoff.

True, but you can fly along for quite a while before buying it. Like I said, I'm not completely convinced, due to a lot of missing details. I'd really like to know exactly where he was when he saw the crashed a/c in the distance.

DreamSnipers		2013-04-04 10:33:27 PM

Ironically enough I helped search for the crash that is mentioned as possibly being the one he found. I was on a helicopter fire fighting crew based in north central Idaho..
We were on such an isolated base I never did hear if they found the aircraft. Interesting to find out so many years later they didn't.
We only helped on the search for a day.

Gyrfalcon		2013-04-04 10:37:40 PM

Charlie Freak: dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

Given that the guy is now 95, there are no photos or other specific details, and this information establishes that there was, in fact, an NTSB investigation, I'd say this is probably the wreck, or at least as close to solving the "mystery" as we're likely to get.

Anyone forward this to the newspaper?

Loren		2013-04-04 10:38:08 PM

Watubi: I'd like to know what happens on a property to where a plane crashing on it isn't a memorable event

If you're not there it's not a memorable event.

Kanemano: Were these the hikers?
[www.alicia-logic.com image 480x249]
Probably because the plane was full of WEED

That was my first thought (intercepted druggie jumped and the plane flew on until it ran out of fuel) but it doesn't really add up. That's too far north for a drug runner's plane to have gone. It's also too old for much of that kind of thing.

I'm not buying the crash report listed in the thread--if the plane got that far from the runway a failure to abort the takeoff wasn't the cause of the crash.

semiotix		2013-04-04 10:46:54 PM

AverageAmericanGuy: And on April 3, 1996, Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown's aircraft detonated in mid-air and crashed in Bosnia. Brown's body was found with a single gunshot wound to the top of his head.

The government takes people out like this all the time.

His daughter was my dorm-mate that year. I remember how people with access to the Real Truth, like you and all the folks at alt.conspiracy.clinton on USENET, really helped her through that rough time.

noitsnot		2013-04-04 10:50:57 PM

Charlie Freak: MadAzza: Charlie Freak: dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

15 miles is about 14.5 miles too far for a crash due to failure to abort takeoff.

True, but you can fly along for quite a while before buying it. Like I said, I'm not completely convinced, due to a lot of missing details. I'd really like to know exactly where he was when he saw the crashed a/c in the distance.

No, you can't "fly a long way before buying it" if you have a failure on takeoff. You biff right into the golf course at the end of the runway.

AAlumni		2013-04-04 10:51:43 PM

Good work, Charlie.

Googled Amelia Earhart after reading this. The article on Earhart mentioned the Island that they believe she landed on had giant coconut crabs. They're the largest terrestrial arthropods in the world. So, Googled that. Apparently they can live up to 60 years, have an acute sense of smell, and grow to 40 pounds and 3-feet-long. And they're edible. Supposedly delicious and Nikumaroro Island is literally crawling with them.

2.bp.blogspot.com

/Yes, I have ADD
//Don't judge me!

destrip		2013-04-04 10:57:10 PM

Could it be this crash? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfPr_gZzHRw (warning, depicts a couple of people's final seconds, though the tape ends before anything gory)

Probably not as it does have an NTSB docket #, but according to the story the wreckage (and tape) weren't found until three years later.

EngineerBob		2013-04-04 11:07:26 PM

ozarkmatt: Kanemano: Probably because the plane was full of WEED

Damn, the Doobie Brothers broke up.

Google "The gold rush of 1977 crash in Yosemite"
I knew one of the "Gold Miners"...

Charlie Freak		2013-04-04 11:20:50 PM

noitsnot: Charlie Freak: MadAzza: Charlie Freak: dugitman: Charlie Freak: <posts answer in less than an hour>

worst.mystery.ever

It isn't necessarily the wreck in question as both accounts are very lacking in location details, but the departure airport is within 15 miles of the mountain pictured in the article, the time frame is close, and the description of the accident is also close. It just depends on exactly where he was hunting and where he came across the crash site. A little more detail of either and I think we'd have our match. His estimate of the crash time frame is irrelevant except to establish a end-baseline.

15 miles is about 14.5 miles too far for a crash due to failure to abort takeoff.

True, but you can fly along for quite a while before buying it. Like I said, I'm not completely convinced, due to a lot of missing details. I'd really like to know exactly where he was when he saw the crashed a/c in the distance.

No, you can't "fly a long way before buying it" if you have a failure on takeoff. You biff right into the golf course at the end of the runway.

What kind of failure are you talking about? You can fly in ground effect for miles, or mush along trying to turn out of the rising canyon before eating it. I've come close to doing exactly this - hot, heavy, high density altitude and took off into rising terrain in WY. Where I got really spooked was not right off the end of the runway, but about 2-3 miles cross wind as we were still not climbing very well. Fortunately, I slowly made the turn downwind into lowering terrain.

Again, still not convinced the report I posted is the crash in question, but it's worth someone looking into for the guy. Would be nice to know exactly where the reported crash occurred and where the guy was. Ranches are big.

KrispyKritter		2013-04-04 11:23:45 PM

back in HS we came upon the remains of an old small plane deep in the woods while we were trespassing on watershed property. creepy does not begin to describe the feeling.

treesloth		2013-04-04 11:38:23 PM

So where *do* they bury the survivors?

waterrockets		2013-04-04 11:39:38 PM

2xhelix: Hunter=hiker?

doglover: 2xhelix: Hunter=hiker?

If he's a bad shot.

You mean if he's actually hunting instead of harvesting with this blind/feeder nonsense they call hunting here in TX. Grew up in CO bowhunting, and you freaking hike. Damnit.

spacemanjones		2013-04-04 11:46:52 PM

Peter von Nostrand: I would like to have seen Montana

*ack*

Bravo sir. Well played.

Best line in one of the best movies of all time.

fusillade762		2013-04-04 11:54:22 PM

Charlie Freak: Again, still not convinced the report I posted is the crash in question

And again I have to ask: if the guy was so curious about it WHY DIDN'T HE WRITE DOWN THE F*CKING TAIL NUMBER???

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