On June 25, 1994, a Cessna 180 (registration N63419) operated by Samuel Kent Howard was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land on an unprepared surface that was not suitable for landing, which resulted in the aircraft drifting off the road and striking a rock. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed an aircraft on a dirt road to examine cattle and meet associates. After drifting left onto the soft shoulder, the plane struck a rock.
The pilot intended to inspect cattle located in the area and meet with associates. Before landing, he examined the road from the air and determined it appeared satisfactory for use as a runway.
Upon touchdown on the road surface, the aircraft drifted to the left. It moved off the paved or hard-packed section and entered the soft dirt shoulder. While attempting to stop or maintain control on this unstable surface, the aircraft collided with a rock.
The pilot's decision to land on an unprepared surface that was not suitable for landing, which resulted in the aircraft drifting off the road and striking a rock.