Probable cause
The pilot’s inadvertent impact with a rock during a landing on a grass strip.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing on an off-airport airstrip with a grass/turf surface, the right main landing gear rolled over a rock, which then dislodged from the ground. The rock then struck the empennage which resulted in substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA047 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 23, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lewistown, Montana
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna A185F
- N-number
- N9533H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.