Cessna 172N
Beaver Marsh, OR — January 25, 2008
Event Information
| Date | January 25, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA053 |
| Event ID | 20080229X00248 |
| Location | Beaver Marsh, OR |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 43.12889, -121.81778 |
| Airport | Beaver Marsh State Airport |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Cessna |
| Model | 172N |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to land on a snow covered runway without first determining the depth of the snow.
Full Narrative
In a written statement and telephone conversations with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that as he entered the vicinity of the destination airport, he decided to land as the passengers needed to use the airport's facilities. Using the visual clues of sprigs of grass, he determined that the runway had a layer of snow on the surface several inches in depth. After making a stabilized approach he touched down in the snow and the airplane suddenly stopped, nosing over inverted. After egressing the airplane, the pilot noted that the snow was in actuality over 1-foot deep.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He stated that because he could not confirm the snow cover, he should not have attempted to land at that airport. The wing spar sustained damage during the accident sequence.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.