Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18-150 near Meeker, CO — 2025-07-03

Final reportCEN25LA236
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Date
2025-07-03
Location
Meeker, CO, USA
Airport
KEEO
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18-150
Registration
N66898
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were completing a soft field landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane. The student pilot landed in a 3-point configuration and the airplane bounced so he increased the throttle and applied forward control input. The airplane then turned left, and the student pilot overcorrected to the right. The flight instructor attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brake; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, which resulted in a left main landing gear collapse. The left wing subsequently struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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