# NTSB investigations: Snowy/icy terrain

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 77 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA095.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Alpine, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N59SE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA092.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Juneau, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2025 · N149TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC23LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA036.md): Piper PA31 · Point Thomson, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N34WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA126.md): Trendak Taurus · Strawberry Reservoir, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 11, 2023 · N553AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the snow-covered lake while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN22LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA112.md): Vans RV4 · Hortonville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2022 · N544WM · Substantial damage
  > The loss of direction control while maneuvering off the plowed surface to avoid a collision with a vehicle.
- [NTSB CEN21LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA189.md): Beech P35 · Poplar Grove, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2021 · N436T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's distraction and his failure to maintain a proper glidepath on the approach, which resulted in him landing short of the runway and impacting a snowbank.
- [NTSB GAA19CA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA214.md): Cessna 180 · Limington, ME · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 14, 2019 · N4796B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during touchdown, which resulted in runway excursion onto snow.
- [NTSB GAA19CA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA154.md): Denney Kitfox MDL Classiciv · Floodwood, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 28, 2019 · N111YT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of lateral control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA19CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA120.md): Emmet Smith Roadrunner · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 29, 2019 · N949TS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to allow the airplane to exit the runway onto a snow-covered field, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN19CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA062.md): Piper PA 18 · Iron Mountain, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 19, 2019 · N3298Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of situational awareness and visual horizon in overcast sky conditions, which led to an unrecognized descent during a low-level maneuver and subsequent impact with snow-covered terrain.
- [NTSB ANC18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2018 · N511CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.
- [NTSB GAA18CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA147.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2018 · N7519G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB GAA18CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA090.md): Piper PA22 · Yentna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 18, 2017 · N4805Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA17CA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA175.md): Cessna 172 · Greenville, ME · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 2, 2017 · N7450X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA147.md): Cessna A185 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N185AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system.
- [NTSB GAA17CA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA187.md): Piper PA22 · Ruby, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 16, 2017 · N72999 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in flat light conditions on a hard-packed snow-covered landing area.
- [NTSB ANC17TA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17TA015.md): Piper PA-32 · Pilot Point, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jan 17, 2017 · N4261T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into known icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing and a forced landing on icy, snow-covered terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA116.md): Cessna 170 · Coeur D'Alene, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2017 · N3210A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during approach, which resulted in landing short of the runway threshold.
- [NTSB ANC17LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA011.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Unalaska, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2016 · N7085K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during a precautionary landing in whiteout conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA124.md): Cessna 152 · Shirley, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 12, 2016 · N47259 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while landing, which resulted in a collision with a snow berm, nose gear collapse, and postimpact fire.
- [NTSB WPR16FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA046.md): Aerostar S A YAK 52 · Alpine, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 2016 · N912EB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB GAA16CA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA093.md): Cessna 172 · Newton, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2016 · N947SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over.
- [NTSB GAA16LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA031.md): Airbus AS350 · Deadhorse, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2015 · C-GSLY · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance while attempting to land in flat light and whiteout conditions.
- [NTSB ERA15CA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA127.md): Schweizer 269C 1 · Carthage, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2015 · N20059 · Substantial damage
  > The non-helicopter-rated pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter at low-level and his inability to adequately see the horizon over snow and ice, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA139.md): Piper PA 11S · Marlboro, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 1, 2014 · N5556H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing rollout in crosswinds, resulting in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a snow bank.
- [NTSB ERA14CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA118.md): Bellanca 7KCAB · Sussex, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 9, 2014 · N103KW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN14CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA124.md): Cessna R182 · Mt. Morris, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 25, 2014 · N6359T · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and decision-making.
- [NTSB ANC14CA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA014.md): Cessna 170 - B · Nome, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 4, 2014 · N8177A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR14CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA082.md): Cubcrafters CC11-160 · Roberts, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2013 · N924JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain during taxi, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB ANC13CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA028.md): Cessna 185B · Flat, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2013 · N2550Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA13LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA151.md): Cessna 150 · Naples, ME · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 2013 · N3438J · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper decision to land on a frozen lake.
- [NTSB WPR13LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA109.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Bountiful, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2013 · N8554W · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB ANC13CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA020.md): Cessna A185E · Skwentna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 5, 2013 · N4538F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB ANC13CA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA019.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 4, 2013 · N7780Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.
- [NTSB ERA13CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA100.md): Raytheon A36 · Rutland, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 31, 2012 · N256DB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering on a snow-packed surface after landing, which resulted in a collision with a fuel truck.
- [NTSB ANC12CA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Alpha · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2012 · N121MR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a tailrotor strike.
- [NTSB ANC12CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA021.md): Beech 99 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2012 · N991AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's premature power reduction, which resulted in a runway undershoot.
- [NTSB WPR12CA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA086.md): Cessna 180 · Cascade, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 30, 2012 · N3242D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind gust during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was a windsock partially sheltered by trees that provided inaccurate wind information.
- [NTSB ANC11TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11TA110.md): Bell 206 B3 · Seward, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 23, 2011 · N204PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during hover in deteriorating weather and flat light conditions, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
- [NTSB WPR11LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA233.md): Palmer RV6A · Cody, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 2011 · N52VC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual illusion and disorientation due to the flat light conditions.
- [NTSB CEN11LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA177.md): Piper PA-16 · Lake Koshkonong, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 5, 2011 · N5945H · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during a low-altitude pass over a frozen lake.
- [NTSB WPR11CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA065.md): Aviat A-1B · North Bend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 28, 2010 · N55HU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to predetermine the depth of the snow on the runway.
- [NTSB ANC10CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA027.md): Cessna 182B · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 18, 2010 · N2266G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to enter adverse weather conditions, resulting in a loss of visibility and collision with terrain during a turn to reverse direction.
- [NTSB WPR10LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA154.md): Sutton Avid Hauler · Rigby, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2010 · N22EJ · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA100.md): Bell 206B · Kalispell, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 7, 2010 · N127TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral drift control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR09LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA179.md): Cessna 182 · Kalispell, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2009 · N6433A · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during a go-around for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was a fatigue failure of the right main landing gear spring.
- [NTSB ANC09CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA026.md): Cessna 170B · Dillingham, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2009 · N2989D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight.
- [NTSB ANC09LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA023.md): Helio H-295 · Healy, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 2009 · N6478V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delay in initiating a climb while he was packing snow with the airplane's skis in preparation for landing, resulting in a collision with brush.
- [NTSB WPR09LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA085.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Beaver, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 2009 · N3170C · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a sheared propeller blade's pitch change link. Contributing to the accident was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA130.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Elrosa, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 10, 2009 · N2553S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain control after touchdown on a snow-covered runway.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '03021030'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases

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