# NTSB SEA00LA126: Cessna 120, N2146N, Toston, MT, July 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2000, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Toston, MT - Coordinates: 46.169166, -111.509857 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1692&lon=-111.5099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49663/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the downdraft conditions and the fence post. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence post (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported in a telephonic interview that he and his son were on a local sightseeing flight operating approximately 1,000 feet above ground when the aircraft encountered a strong downdraft. Concerned that the aircraft might make contact with terrain, the pilot maneuvered over a dirt road. Although the pilot reported no mechanical problem with the aircraft or its powerplant, the aircraft continued to descend until touchdown on the road. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear and right wing impacted a fence post and the right wheel separated from the strut. The aircraft then veered right off the road nosing over as it passed into a ditch. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2000, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 120, N2146N, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an on-ground collision with objects followed by a nose over on a dirt road approximately three miles west of Toston, Montana. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Helena, Montana, approximately two hours earlier. The pilot reported in a telephonic interview that he and his son were on a local sightseeing flight operating approximately 1,000 feet above ground when the aircraft encountered a strong downdraft. The pilot reported maneuvering the aircraft over a north-south dirt road concerned that he might contact terrain. The descent continued and the aircraft touched down on the road. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear and right wing impacted a fence post and the right wheel separated from the strut. The aircraft then veered right off the road nosing over as it passed into a ditch. The pilot reported that the aircraft did not suffer any powerplant or control malfunction during the event. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2146N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2146N-2003-04-15), registration cancelled 2003-04-15, S/N 12382, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12382 - Airframe hours: 4795 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brand, Donald A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2000, 32 hours before - Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,860 total, 1,750 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BZN, 29 nm away ## 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 20000703005759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000703005759A), Jul 3, 2000: Toston, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he got into a strong down draft and couldn't maintain altitude. He touched down on a road and there was a gate and cattle guard 200 ft. in… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.