Piper PA-18-150 N4155W accident near Delta, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of aircraft control during a bounced landing and go-around, during which the right main landing gear struck a large rock, which damaged it such that it collapsed during the following landing, which caused the airplane to impact the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during landing he allowed the airplane to sink faster than intended and it bounced on the main tires. He immediately executed a go-around; however, during the go-around the airplane went off the side of the runway, and struck thick bushes, terrain and rocks before gaining altitude. Just before gaining altitude, the airplane struck a large rock which damaged the right main landing gear. During the subsequent landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane’s nose and right wing struck the ground. The airplane then swung to the right and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA373 for the full record.