PIPER PA 18-150
Willcox, AZ — January 26, 2014
Event Information
| Date | January 26, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR14CA109 |
| Event ID | 20140130X75717 |
| Location | Willcox, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.41555, -110.15111 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA 18-150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's decision to land off airport on unsuitable terrain that resulted in a collision with hidden objects.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he and his father had flown to the accident location to camp and hunt. They made three passes over an open area to find a suitable landing spot. The pilot stated that the grass appeared to be knee-to-hip height, but he believed it was safe to land. He set up for landing, and on the landing rollout, about 20-30 knots, the left main landing gear wheel struck an unseen, large embedded boulder that collapsed the left main landing gear. The airplane's wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.