# Accident 20260213000859A: Piper PACER PA-20, Three Forks, MT, February 13, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 13, 2026, 15:41 local time
- Place: Three Forks, MT
- Airport: Three Forks
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.8781° N, 111.5694° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8781&lon=-111.5694&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1491A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1491A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-20 (registry code 7102002, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PACER PA-20
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 239 total, 139 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA105) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260213000859A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON FEBRUARY 13TH, AT APPROXIMATELY 15:41 LOCAL TIME, THE PILOT OF A PIPER PACER PA-20, EXPERIENCED A GROUND LOOP, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY 21 AT THREE FORKS AIRPORT (9S5) IN MONTANA. THE PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER LANDING WITH A CROSSWIND FROM THE WEST, OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL.

THE ACCIDENT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING AND RIGHT LANDING GEAR.

THE PILOT STATED THE COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY (CTAF) REPORTED A 7-KNOT CROSSWIND FROM A WESTERLY DIRECTION, WHICH THE PILOT FELT COMFORTABLE WITH. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE "LANDED ON THE FRONT TWO WHEELS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 KNOTS. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND, LIFTING THE RIGHT WING", WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE CROSSWIND CORRECTION CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. REVIEWING FOOTAGE FROM AHANGAR SECUIRTY CAMERA SHOWED THE LOSS OF CONTROL APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR26LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA105), Feb 13, 2026: Piper PA-20 (N1491A), Three Forks, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional during the landing roll with a variable wind.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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