On 13 Apr 2014, a PIPER PA 18S-150 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Browning, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a veer off the airstrip and collision with a ditch. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a planned short field landing on an uphill airstrip, the aircraft veered left after touchdown, then veered right after power application, causing the right main gear to strike a ditch and resulting in gearbox damage.
Incident Details
The pilot reported that after an approximately one-hour flight, she configured the airplane for a 3-point, short field landing. The intended landing was on an airstrip that slopes uphill towards the east, with shallow ditches on either side. Following touchdown, the airplane rolled about 90 feet and began to veer to the left of the center. Despite attempts to correct with right rudder, the airplane did not respond. The pilot then added engine power in an effort to increase airflow over the tail, but the airplane immediately veered right to about a 70-degree angle across the narrow strip. As the airplane neared the down slope of the ditch, she applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing. The right main gear struck the far side of the ditch, after which she retarded the throttle and brought the airplane to a stop. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred structural damage to the gearbox.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained