What happened
The pilot reported that after takeoff, he remained at approximately 100 feet above ground level and proceeded toward Savage, Montana. His intention was to fly over his partner's farm in the vicinity. Nearly 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot noted a loss of engine RPM as he approached the destination. He applied carburetor heat and executed a full-flap landing on an elevated roadway located to the south, adjacent to an irrigation ditch.
During touchdown, the pilot observed that engine power was returning; however, he continued the landing rollout. After the aircraft had slowed, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the aircraft to overturn. The pilot estimated the wind was gusting to 20 knots. The temperature was approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, though the dew point was not determined.
The investigation
The pilot suspected carburetor ice as the cause of the engine power loss, but this was not verified by investigators. No further mechanical examination details are provided in the source text.
Findings
Contributing factors included the loss of engine RPM which necessitated a forced landing, and the subsequent wind gusts that caused the aircraft to overturn after touchdown. The weather conditions at the time included a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit with wind gusting to 20 knots.
Safety message
This incident highlights the risks associated with engine performance issues in light aircraft and the potential for secondary damage during forced landings, particularly when environmental factors such as wind gusts are present.