GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA026
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA026
Event Id 20001212X20439
Local Date 02/08/2000
Local Time 1300
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete UNKNOWN
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition UNKNOWN
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 1500
Cloud Type OVERCAST
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 7
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Calm

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 91: GENERAL AVIATION
Registration Number N4961A
Aircraft Make CESSNA
Aircraft Model 180
Aircraft Series UNDESIGNATED SERIES
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight UNDEFINED
Aircraft Use PERSONAL
Flight Plan Filed NONE
Operator Name
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name WENDELL K. ELLIS
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated NO
Departure Airport Id 75Z
Departure City NABESNA
Departure State ALASKA
Last Departure Point NO
Destination Airport Id MRI
Destination City ANCHORAGE
Destination State ALASKA
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates NO
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 2550

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Continental
Engine Model O-470-K
Engine Horsepower 230
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection CARBURETOR

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 1
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
ON GROUND/WATER ENCOUNTER WITH TERRAIN/WATER
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SNOW COVERED
2 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SNOWBANK FACTOR
3 2 UNSUITABLE TERRAIN OR TAKEOFF/LANDING/TAXI AREA SELECTED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE

Occurrence #2
NOSE OVER
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #2 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On February 8, 2000, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4961A, sustained substantial damage while landing at Caribou Lake, about 30 miles west-southwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Nabesna, Alaska, about 1130, and was en route to Anchorage, Alaska. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a formal flight plan. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) about 45 minutes after the accident, the pilot related he made an intermediate stop at Caribou Lake to wait out deteriorating weather conditions. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear ski encountered deep, drifted snow, and the airplane turned to the left, nosed over, and received substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he just didn't see the drifted snow in time to avoid it.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The pilot reported he was landing his ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake to await improved weather conditions. During the landing roll, he said he did not see an area of drifted snow. The left main landing gear ski encountered the snow drift, and the airplane turned to the left and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site on a frozen, snow-covered lake. A factor associated with the accident was an area of drifted snow at the landing site.


END REPORT