Piper PA 11 N4988M

Summary

On 16 September 2013 at about 20:20 local time, a Piper PA 11 registered N4988M was involved in an accident near Bozeman, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 September 2013 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Bozeman, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Bozeman Yellowstone Internatio (KBZN)

Coordinates

45.7792, -111.1556

Aircraft

Piper PA 11

Registration

N4988M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1948

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bozeman → Bozeman

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA412

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and inadequate compensation for the high gusty wind conditions during taxi.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after aborting the takeoff due to an approaching thunderstorm and high wind, while taxiing back to the parking area, a strong wind lifted the airplane. The airplane subsequently nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.