Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown during landing, the experimental, amateur-built tailwheel equipped airplane immediately veered to the left. The pilot corrected with right rudder and applied engine power; however, the airplane subsequently ground looped, during which the right main landing gear strut collapsed.
The pilot, who was the builder of the airplane, reported that this was the second time the gear struts had bent on this airplane. Following the first event, the pilot had reinforced the landing gear strut, but he believed that the design of the main landing gear was unable to withstand the routine stresses of landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17LA080 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bozeman, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Bozeman Yellowstone Intl (BZN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built STOL KING
- N-number
- N268CR
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2010
- 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.