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.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA236 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 3, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Meeker, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Meeker Airport (KEEO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18-150
- N-number
- N66898
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.