TOSTON, MT, USA
N2146N
Cessna 120
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.
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.
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the downdraft conditions and the fence post.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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