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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 23, 2003 · Piper PA-18-135 · N60733

Marion, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Marion, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N60733
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA068

The pilot/owner of the Piper PA-18-135, accompanied by his wife, was taking off from runway 12, a turf/grass strip, at Marion, Montana. Winds were light and out of the southeast at the time. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he lost directional control of the aircraft, which then departed the runway crossing a ditch and collapsing the main landing gear. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft during the event.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll resulting in the aircraft leaving the runway, crossing a ditch and collapsing the landing gear. A contributing factor was the ditch.

Full Narrative

On April 22, 2003, approximately 1815 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N60733, registered to and being flown/operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on takeoff at the Carson Field airstrip (MT53), Marion, Montana. The pilot and his wife were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and was to have been local in nature. The pilot reported the accident to the NTSB's Northwest Regional Office on the morning of April 23rd and stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 12 (turf), and with a 2-3 knot quartering wind, he lost directional control of the conventionally geared Super Cub and the aircraft departed the runway crossing a ditch and damaging one wing. Winds at Kalispell, Montana, 29 nautical miles northeast were reported at 4 knots from 120 degrees magnetic at 1755. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft during the event. The pilot later reported in the narrative of his submitted NTSB Form 6120.1: "Failure to maintain directional control of [the] aircraft [which] resulted in it leaving [the] runway and running through [a] ditch shearing [the] gear legs."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 MDT
Nearest AirportCarson Field (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN60733
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.54 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data