On July 13, 2007, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N7145Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Jordan, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. Contributing factors were the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the rough/uneven terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landing on a ridge while hunting coyotes hit hard, bounced, then during a go-around ended up in a dry wash, damaging the right wing, engine mount, and fuselage.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he and a passenger were engaged in coyote hunting. The pilot decided to land on a narrow ridge positioned just above a coyote's den. During the landing, the aircraft struck the ground forcefully and rebounded into the air. The pilot initiated a go-around, but the aircraft subsequently descended into a dry wash approximately 20 feet deep, which ran parallel to the intended landing area.
Damage Assessment
After the incident, the right wing, engine mount, and fuselage were observed to be bent and broken. The extent of damage indicates a significant impact with the terrain.
Operator and Purpose
The flight was conducted for the purpose of hunting coyotes, with the pilot and one passenger on board.