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Casualties unknown

Tailwheel Aircraft Impacts Taxiway Sign During Landing Roll (N82166)

Missoula, MT, US

On January 11, 1994, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N82166) operated by Minuteman Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Missoula, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The rear seat pilot or passenger allowing the tailwheel aircraft to diverge from the centerline during the landing roll, which resulted in an impact with a taxiway direction sign. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel aircraft diverged from the runway centerline during landing roll, resulting in a ground loop attempt that ended with an impact against a taxiway direction sign.

What happened

During the landing roll of a tailwheel aircraft, the rear seat pilot or passenger allowed the aircraft to drift away from the runway centerline. The pilot in command attempted to take control to prevent a ground loop but was unable to stop the aircraft from striking a frangible taxiway direction sign. The impact occurred at the northwest corner of the intersection between Taxiway D and Runway 25.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the events leading up to the impact with the taxiway sign. Investigators examined the position of the aircraft relative to the runway centerline during the landing roll. They also reviewed the actions taken by the pilot in command in an effort to regain control and prevent a ground loop.

Findings

The primary finding was that the rear seat pilot or passenger allowed the tailwheel aircraft to diverge from the centerline during the landing roll. The pilot in command's attempt to prevent a ground loop failed to prevent the impact with the taxiway direction sign.

Probable cause

The rear seat pilot or passenger allowing the tailwheel aircraft to diverge from the centerline during the landing roll, which resulted in an impact with a taxiway direction sign.

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X00683. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.