NTSB Factual Report

On May 27, 2002, approximately 1114 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135 airplane, N9845Q, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while executing a stop-and-go landing on runway 8 at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport, Lewiston, Idaho. During the occurrence, the airplane's left wing hit the ground, the aircraft veered off the runway, the left tire separated from the wheel and the aircraft came to rest in a ditch on its nose. The pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions and winds from 040 degrees magnetic at 4 knots, were reported at Lewiston at 1056. No flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight, which originated from Lewiston earlier on the same morning.

The pilot initially reported to the investigator that there was a left crosswind during the landing on runway 08 and he lost control of the aircraft during which the left wingtip struck the ground. The aircraft veered off the runway coming to rest in a ditch in a nose down attitude.

The pilot later reported on his NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (attached) that he was practicing stop-and-go landings on runway 08 when he encountered a "crosswind" or "whirlwind" which blew the aircraft off the runway. He reported that he attempted to abort the landing but could not get enough airspeed.

Winds throughout the morning and afternoon at Lewiston airport were reported as ranging from zero knots up to seven knots and the general direction was from the north and east quadrant (refer to ATTACHMENT WX).

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing resulting in the aircraft departing the runway environment and the wing impacting the ground. Contributing factors were the dustdevil/whirlwind which the aircraft encountered and the ditch.