Probable cause
The pilot-certificated passenger's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the pilot's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that his pilot-certificated passenger was landing the tail-wheel airplane when he lost directional control during the landing roll. As the airplane was departing the runway, the pilot took over the flight controls in order to direct the airplane to the adjacent runway. The airplane impacted a gopher hole and nosed over. The engine firewall and vertical stabilizer were wrinkled, and three lift struts and both wing spars were bent.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA287 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 31, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dillon, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Dillon Airport (DLN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-150
- N-number
- N4143D
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.