# NTSB SEA91LA085: Piper PA-18-125, N1322A, Ekalaka, MT, April 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1991, 16:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Ekalaka, MT
- Coordinates: 45.770359, -104.509323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7704&lon=-104.5093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA085

## 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 PILOT'S VISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A LOAL FLIGHT, THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED SO THAT LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING. THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE AIRSTRIP, AND THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRSTRIP WAS COVERED WITH SNOW. INSTEAD OF LANDING ON THE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD THAT RAN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE SLUSH COVERED ROAD, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## 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-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Erlend D. Laird
- Registered owner: Erlend D. Laird

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,112 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 4,112 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 19910413010629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910413010629A), Apr 13, 1991: Piper PA18125, Ekalaka, MT, Substantial damage. Unable to return to private strip due weather,diverted to airport. Runway snowed in. Used road. Slid into a ditch.

## 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 DEN89LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA190), Aug 7, 1989: Piper PA-18-125 (N1322A), Ekalaka, MT, substantial damage. 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…

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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