Casualties unknown

Airplane Veers Off Runway During Landing, Strikes Parked Vehicles (N897SP)

Glenwood Sprngs, CO, US

On June 6, 1999, a Piper PA-18 (registration N897SP) was involved in an aviation accident near Glenwood Sprngs, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both pilots agreed that a gust of wind caused the loss of control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

While ferrying a recently purchased airplane home, the back seat pilot and pilot-in-command experienced a loss of control during landing, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and collide with parked vehicles, damaging the right wing.

Incident Overview

During a landing on runway 14, an airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with several parked vehicles, resulting in structural damage to the right wing. The aircraft was being ferried home by the back seat pilot, who had recently purchased it, and was accompanied by a pilot-in-command seated in the front seat.

Pilot Accounts

Both pilots reported that a gust of wind caused the loss of control. They indicated that before control could be regained, the airplane departed the runway and struck the parked vehicles, causing spar and rib damage to the right wing.

Runway and Wind Conditions

Although runway 14 was used for the landing, runway 32 was reported as the active runway at the time. The nearest official weather reporting facility, located 26 miles northeast of the accident site, recorded winds from 240 degrees at 18 knots, with gusts to 22 knots.

Damage

The impact with the parked vehicles resulted in damage to the right wing's spar and ribs.

Probable cause

Both pilots agreed that a gust of wind caused the loss of control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18976. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.