Accident Overview
The accident occurred during a landing attempt on a 6,000-foot-long by 30-foot-wide paved airstrip. The runway edges dropped into drainage ditches immediately beyond the pavement. According to witnesses, the aircraft touched down two to three times, and the pilot appeared to have difficulty maintaining a straight path. A photograph showed the right main landing gear at the edge of the pavement near the end of the landing area.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that close to the end of the landing area, the aircraft became airborne again, climbing to an estimated 20 to 75 feet above ground level, and initiated a left turn. Shortly after, the left wing dropped, and the aircraft crashed.
Aerodynamic Conditions
Post-accident examination found the flap system components in the up position. The aircraft's computed stall speed with flaps up and gear up is 71 mph at 20 degrees of bank and 79 mph at 40 degrees of bank. No preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft or engine was identified.
Environmental Factors
The density altitude at the time was over 7,300 feet. A crosswind from the right was present, described as variable and gusty. About 18 miles north, at Livingston, Montana, the wind at 1249 mountain daylight time was from 220 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The airstrip had a 60- to 80-foot-high ridge along its west edge for its entire length. A 361-foot hill was located about one-third mile beyond the end of the airstrip, with higher mountainous terrain beyond.