Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a ditch and the left main landing gear collapsing.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA129 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 20, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Canyon, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA18
- N-number
- N4910P
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1962
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.