SEA97LA042

Factual narrative

On January 4, 1997, at 1058 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150K, N5935G, operated by Butte Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a snow bank during a touch-and-go landing at the Helena Airport, Helena, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had originated from Butte, Montana, approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to complete the last cross-country flight requirement before the private pilot check ride. The pilot stated that she was cleared to land on runway 27. The pilot stated that the flare for touch down was high, however, the landing was continued without difficulty. After the airplane touched down and was on the roll out, the pilot remembered that she needed to complete a touch-and-go requirement. The pilot stated that she applied power to go-around and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot tried to correct with right rudder control, however, the pilot was unable to regain control and the airplane continued to the left side of the runway and collided with a snow bank. The pilot reported that the flight was cleared for landing on runway 27. The flare was a little high, however, the pilot continued the landing and touched down without difficulty. The pilot stated that during the landing roll-out, she remembered that she needed to complete a touch-and-go requirement and applied power to go-around. The pilot stated that the airplane began to veer to the left and she tried to correct with right rudder control. The pilot was unable to regain directional control and the airplane continued off the left side of the runway and collided with a snow bank. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12