Location: Swan Valley, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR22LA139
Date and Time: March 30, 2022, 12:00 Local
Registration: N35AH
Aircraft: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during a landing on a snow-covered, private grass airstrip, he did not adequately confirm the landing surface condition. Subsequently, as the airplane slowed down during the landing roll, the landing gear penetrated through a shallow layer of hard packed snow and then dug into several inches of snow, which caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll on a snow-covered runway surface.
Findings
Personnel issues Identification/recognition - Pilot
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Snow/slush/ice covered surface - Effect on equipment
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing Nose over/nose down
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: June 10, 2021
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 15, 2021
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1955 hours (Total, all aircraft), 443 hours (Total, this make and model), 1894 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N35AH
Model/Series: A-1B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2417
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 1, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 1082 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDIJ,6229 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 42°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 3°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Idaho Falls, ID (IDA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Swan Valley, ID
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 11:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Diamond AIrstrip PVT
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf;Snow
Airport Elevation: 5850 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Snow
Runway Used: 10/28
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2000 ft / 90 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop;Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.51958,-111.38095(est)