Incident Overview
During an aerial photographic survey flight, the pilot noticed fuel leaking from around a fuel tank cap and decided to land at the nearest suitable airport, Soda Springs, Idaho. Approaching the airport, the pilot consulted two flight information publications, including the U.S. Government Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), to obtain airport information. He then performed an approach to runway 16.
Approach and Collision
A U.S. highway runs approximately perpendicular to the extended centerline of runway 16, crossing it about 50 feet short (north) of the approach end. The A/FD identifies approach obstructions to runway 16 only as 'Road.' The pilot reported that he was on a stabilized approach, on glide path, using the runway's tri-color visual approach slope indicator (VASI), when the aircraft collided with a truck on the highway. The collision knocked off the airplane's left main wheel.
Go-Around and Landing
Despite the damage, the pilot was able to execute a go-around and subsequently landed at Pocatello, Idaho, without further incident.
Previous Incident and Post-Accident Changes
A previous aircraft/vehicle collision occurred at Soda Springs in 1978. After the accident, local airport authorities increased the glide path angle setting of the runway 16 tri-color VASI to provide increased clearance over the highway on final approach.