Piper PA-28-180 | N7186W
July 17th, 2025 | West Yellowstone, Montana
Accident Location
- City: West Yellowstone
- State: Montana
- Latitude: 44.597454
- Longitude: -111.13096
- Airport ID: KWYS
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N7186W
- Make: Piper
- Model: PA-28-180
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Conover, Rodney Wayne
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 60
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: Yes
- Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: July 17th, 2025
- Time: 11:55 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Night
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Initial Climb
- Total People Onboard: 3
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 2
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 3
- NTSB No:
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 7) TERRAIN COLLISION, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: Pending. Night takeoff with no lighting . Witness reports indicated a very black night and no horizon reference possible.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: Pending.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.