Piper PA-18-150 N4036E accident near White Sulphur Springs, Montana

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around in turbulent wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he planned on landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane in an open field in front of a friend's mountain cabin. The pilot made his first approach to the landing area, dragging the airplane's wheels across the landing area to test the roughness of the terrain before landing. The pilot then initiated a go-around and planned on landing during the next pass. Immediately upon initiating the go-around, the pilot reported that he encountered severe turbulence over the tree-populated terrain outside the periphery of his landing area. The turbulence forced the airplane down through the trees and into the ground. The pilot egressed the cockpit and the airplane was consumed by a post-impact fire. The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA469 for the full record.