N7374W

Substantial
None

PIPER PA 28-180S/N: 28-1256

Accident Details

Date
Friday, April 17, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA050
Location
DEER LODGE, MT
Event ID
20150424X91445
Coordinates
46.383056, -112.760276
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7374W
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-1256
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
PA 28-180M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
NOVAK JAMES F
Address
2136 N CABLE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ANACONDA
State / Zip Code
MT 59711-1972
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA050