Summary
On April 17, 2015, a Piper PA 28-180 (N7374W) was involved in an incident near Deer Lodge, MT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA050. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7374W.
Accident Details
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
Registered Owner (Historical)
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