Summary
On July 03, 2000, a Cessna 120 (N2146N) was involved in an incident near Toston, MT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the downdraft conditions and the fence post.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA00LA126. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2146N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the downdraft conditions and the fence post.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA00LA126