Accident Overview
On November 3, 2015, at approximately 1442 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 single-engine airplane, registration N9029Y, was substantially damaged after colliding with trees during an aborted landing at Meyers-Diver's Airport (3TE) in Tecumseh, Michigan. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan in day visual meteorological conditions. The airplane had departed 3TE around 1320.
Landing and Abort Sequence
According to the pilot, the accident occurred during a landing on runway 27, which is a grass/turf runway measuring 1,820 feet by 100 feet. He performed a normal wheel (two-point) landing, but as the airplane traversed the crossing runway 18/36 (asphalt), it bounced back into the air near midfield. The pilot increased engine power after the bounce and subsequently executed a full-stall (three-point) landing on the remaining runway. Immediately after the tailwheel made contact with the runway, the airplane veered to the left, departing the left side of the runway into a grass field. The pilot was able to regain directional control and reestablish a ground track parallel to the runway before attempting an aborted landing from the grass field. Although he was able to get the airplane airborne, it could not clear trees located along an airport perimeter road. The collision with the trees resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Pilot and Postaccident Examination
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He also noted that the accident might have been avoided had he attempted to stop the airplane in the grass field instead of aborting the landing. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Inspector revealed no anomalies with the flight controls, brake system, or tail wheel assembly that would have prevented normal operation.
Weather Conditions
At 1453, the automated surface observing system at Lenawee County Airport (ADG), located about 11 miles south-southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots, surface visibility of 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 7 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.15 inches of mercury.