N7153ZPiper PA-18-150 · 1965

The pilot stated that just as he was going to touch down on the runway, the airplane wanted to turn to the left, he applied right rudder but it was not affective. He applied full power and attempted to abort the landing but the airplane would not gain lift. The airplane veered left off the runway and into the grass and was traveling towards a ditch. He applied one notch of flaps in an attempt to clear the ditch; subsequently the airplanes main wheels came in contact with the ditch first and stopped immediately, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

On February 16, 2011, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7153Z, nosed over during landing at Twin Falls, Idaho. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airline transport pilot rated check airman sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The local check flight departed Twin Falls about 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot was completing a Part 135.293(b) check ride, which was required yearly. Multiple check rides in various airplanes, including an oral and pilot record’s check, were scheduled over a 3-day period, but was eventually reduced to 2 days. The pilot stated that the winds were too strong the first day to complete the check ride in the accident airplane.

On the second day, the pilot and check airman noted that the wind at the time of departure was from 180 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 22 knots on runway 25. After completing air work, they returned for landing. The pilot stated that during the flight, the wind had increased to 33 knots with gusts to 39 knots.

The first landing attempt resulted in a go-around. The pilot successfully landed on the second attempt, and came to a full stop on the runway centerline. With the brakes set and the engine idling, the airplane was blown over by a quartering tail wind.

The pilot stated that weather had caused delays on two previous occasions, and he lived in a different state than the check airman. He decided that he wanted to get the check rides done so that he could return home. His recommendation was that he should have cancelled the check ride again, and scheduled it another day.