Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight he was unable to maintain a sufficient climb rate to clear the mountainous terrain, and he initiated an off-airport precautionary landing to a nearby alpine meadow. When the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear collided with a large rock and collapsed. The airplane bounced and touched down a second time before sliding about 150 feet to a stop. The airplane’s fuselage and undercarriage sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA319 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
DO 27 B5
- N-number
- N780AX
- 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.