Collision During Landing: Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N4910P; accident occurred March 20, 2020 in Canyon, Randall County, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N4910P 

Location: Canyon, Texas

Accident Number: CEN20CA129

Date & Time: March 20, 2020, 17:58 Local

Registration: N4910P

Aircraft: Piper PA18

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, he performed an off-airport landing to a wheat field. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear encountered a ditch about midfield and collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that "Further care should have been conducted in evaluating the LZ (Landing Zone)." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a ditch and the left main landing gear collapsing.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Environmental issues Rough terrain - Effect on operation

Personnel issues Flight planning/navigation - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-landing roll Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)

Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Landing-landing roll Landing gear collapse

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 43, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/14/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/04/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 875 hours (Total, all aircraft), 642 hours (Total, this make and model), 800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4910P
Model/Series: PA18 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate:Normal 
Serial Number: 18-7832
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/19/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6022 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2B
Registered Owner:On file 
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAMA, 3604 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 35°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3600 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.34 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Canyon, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Canyon, TX
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1746 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.040000, -101.918889 (est)