1991-04-13: Piper PA-18-125 — Erlend D. Laird — Ekalaka, MT

Casualties unknown • Ekalaka, MT, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LANDING SURFACE WAS COVERED WITH SLUSH, SNOW WAS FALLING AND OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AT THE END OF A LOAL FLIGHT, THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED SO THAT LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING. THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE AIRSTRIP, AND THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRSTRIP WAS COVERED WITH SNOW. INSTEAD OF LANDING ON THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD THAT RAN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE SLUSH COVERED ROAD, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-04-13 Piper PA-18-125 accident near Ekalaka, MT?

AT THE END OF A LOAL FLIGHT, THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED SO THAT LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING. THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE AIRSTRIP, AND THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRSTRIP WAS COVERED WITH SNOW. INSTEAD OF LANDING ON THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD THAT RAN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-04-13 involved a Piper PA-18-125, registration N1322A, operated by Erlend D. Laird, at Ekalaka, MT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LANDING SURFACE WAS COVERED WITH SLUSH, SNOW WAS FALLING AND OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16886. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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