On 17 Apr 2015, a PIPER PA 28-180 180 operated by NOVAK JAMES F was involved in an aviation accident near DEER LODGE, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing flare, the pilot encountered porpoising, believed a crosswind existed, aborted the landing, and the airplane impacted a ditch, resulting in separation of the right landing gear and nose wheel, and substantial firewall damage.
Accident Overview
The pilot of the airplane reported that during the landing flare, the aircraft began to porpoise. On the second porpoise, the pilot perceived what he believed to be a crosswind condition. In response, he added full power to abort the landing.
Impact and Damage
Subsequently, the airplane impacted a ditch. The collision resulted in the separation of the right landing gear and the nose wheel from the airframe. Additionally, the firewall sustained substantial damage.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained