On August 7, 1989, a Piper PA-18-125 (registration N1322A) operated by Earlend D. Laird was involved in an aviation accident near Ekalaka, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop within the available landing distance during a downhill landing, resulting in an overrun and collision with a gate post. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A commercial pilot flying to a nearby ranch for parts overshot the landing strip while landing downhill into estimated winds from 135 degrees at 10 knots, striking a gate post with the left wing.
What happened
The commercial pilot and rancher was operating an aircraft to a nearby ranch location to retrieve necessary parts. Upon arrival, the pilot executed a landing approach onto a road serving as the landing strip. The pilot reported that the landing surface sloped downward in the direction of travel. He estimated the wind conditions at the time of landing were from 135 degrees at 10 knots.
During the rollout, the aircraft failed to stop within the available distance. The pilot stated that he overshot his intended point of touchdown and overran the designated landing area. As the aircraft continued forward off the end of the road, the left wing struck a stationary gate post.
The investigation
The impact with the gate post resulted in structural damage to the aircraft's left wing spar. No further mechanical examination details were provided in the source record.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop within the available landing distance during a downhill landing, resulting in an overrun and collision with a gate post.
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