NTSB Factual Report

On July 1, 2001, about 1230 Mountain daylight time, a tail wheel-equipped Piper PA-22, N3251Z, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from Lewistown Municipal Airport, Lewistown, Montana. The airplane is registered to the pilot and was being operated as a personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight.

The pilot submitted a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board dated July 9, and reported that shortly after departure the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back into the air; however, the airplane again began to settle back toward the runway and the pilot aborted the takeoff. He reported that when the aircraft touched down, it veered to the right of runway centerline. The pilot stated that when he applied brakes, the airplane "spun around" and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in a wheat field adjacent to the departure runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

Pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft while landing.