What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-02-08 involved a Piper PA-12, registration N7940H, at Bozeman, MT.

Piper PA-12 Nose Over Following Ground Excursion During Touch-and-Go (N7940H)

On February 8, 2001, a Piper PA-12 (registration N7940H) was involved in an aviation accident near Bozeman, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot rated passenger's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the snow berm which the aircraft rolled into during the landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A Piper PA-12 conducting a touch-and-go landing veered right then hard left, exited the runway, and nosed over in a snowberm. The pilot-rated passenger, a prospective buyer with 81 hours in type, was flying from the front seat with the owner in back.

Event Overview

A Piper PA-12 tailwheel-equipped aircraft experienced a loss of directional control during a touch-and-go landing, resulting in a ground excursion and nose-over. The incident occurred in calm wind conditions.

Aircraft and Occupants

The aircraft was a Piper PA-12. The pilot-rated passenger, who was a prospective buyer of the aircraft, occupied the front seat and was flying the airplane. The owner was seated in the rear seat. The flying pilot reported 81 hours of flight experience in the PA-12 model.

Sequence of Events

During the touch-and-go landing, the aircraft initially veered to the right. This was followed by a sharp veer to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying rudder and increasing engine power. Despite these inputs, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway, encountered a snowberm, and subsequently nosed over.

Environmental Conditions

At the time of the event, winds were reported as calm.

2001-02-08: Piper PA-12 (N7940H) — Bozeman, MT