NTSB Identification: GAA15CA050
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident
occurred
Friday, April 17, 2015
in
DEER LODGE, MT
Probable Cause Approval Date:
07/08/2015
Aircraft:
PIPER PA 28-180, registration:
N7374W
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB
investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but
not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator
and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this
aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that during the landing flare he began to porpoise, on the second porpoise he encountered what he believed was a crosswind. He added full power to abort the landing, and subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch, which resulted in the right landing gear and nose wheel being separated from the airplane and substantial damage to the firewall.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that during the landing flare he began to porpoise, on the second porpoise he encountered what he believed was a crosswind. He added full power to abort the landing, and subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch, which resulted in the right landing gear and nose wheel being separated from the airplane and substantial damage to the firewall.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
- The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.