# NTSB DEN89LA190: Piper PA-18-125, N1322A, Ekalaka, MT, August 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1989, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Ekalaka, MT
- Coordinates: 45.770511, -104.510688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7705&lon=-104.5107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA190

## Probable cause

MISJUDGEMENT OF THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN OF THE LANDING AREA AND COLLISION WITH A POST. THE DOWNHILL TERRAIN CONDITION AND LOCATION OF THE FENCE POST WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERICAL PLT/RANCHER WAS FLYING TO A NEARBY RANCH FOR PARTS. HE SAID HE LANDED DOWNHILL INTO WINDS THAT HE ESTIMATED WERE FROM 135 DEG AT 10 KTS. HE REPORTED THAT HE OVERSHOT HIS POINT OF INTENDED LANDING AND OVERRAN THE LANDING STRIP (A ROAD). HE SAID THE LEFT WING STRUCK A GATE POST AND DAMAGED THE SPAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1322A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1322A), registered now, S/N 18-1128, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1128
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Earlend D. Laird, doing business as Earlend D Laird
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, EKALAKA, MT
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Ranch Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,885 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 3,880 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890807032569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890807032569A), Aug 7, 1989: Piper PA18125, Ekalaka, MT, Substantial damage. Landed on a ranch road and overshot clear area striking a gate post with left wing.

## Other investigations on N1322A (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA91LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA085), Apr 13, 1991: Piper PA-18-125 (N1322A), Ekalaka, MT, substantial damage. 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…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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