The invention is directed to a breakaway joint (200) for releasably connecting a first component to a second component, the breakaway joint comprising a first member (202) to which the first component is attached; a second member (204) to which the second component is attached; a plurality of columnar members (238) each having first and second ends (256,254), the first ends (256) being coupled to the first member (202); and a mechanism (206) engaged by both the second member (204) and the second ends (254) of the columnar members (238) for latching the first member (202) to the second member (204) and for converting a tensile load acting between the first and second members into a compressive load acting on the columnar members (238); wherein when the tensile load reaches a predetermined level, the columnar members (238) will buckle and the latching means (206) will release the first member (202) from the second member (204).
