Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On October 12, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Boulder, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Boulder, Colorado, on October 12, 1996, 1330.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident report, the pilot had been practicing touch and go landings on runway 08 for about an hour. On his last landing, he touched down in a 3-point attitude. He allowed the wind (estimated to vary between 270 and 300 degrees at 6 to 9 knots) to get underneath the upwind wing. The pilot said the airplane drifted left of runway centerline, and he corrected with opposite aileron and rudder "somewhat excessively." As the airplane returned to runway centerline he applied left rudder, again "somewhat excessively." The airplane veered to the left. To avoid a parallel glider landing strip, the pilot applied "right rudder aggressively." The airplane swerved to the right. Side loads caused the left tire to separate from the wheel rim and "induce a skidding 180 degree turn to the right." The airplane departed the right side of the runway tail first. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane pivoted around on its wing tip.

In his accident report, the pilot indicated he had logged 4 hours in the Piper PA-18-135 in the previous 90 days. Three of the 4 hours were with an instructor. The accident flight was his first flight in the airplane as pilot in command. the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of rudder. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane.