ANC04LA008

The private certificated pilot was landing on a private, snow-covered mining strip. During the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels broke through the snow crust, and the airplane nosed over, activating the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The pilot indicated the airplane received damage to the propeller, wingtip, and rudder.

On November 10, 2003, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4448B, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at a remote airstrip, about 14.5 miles northeast of Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 12, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that he contacted the pilot via telephone in Oregon. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot said he was landing on a private, snow-covered mining strip. The pilot told the inspector that during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels broke through the snow crust, and the airplane nosed over, activating the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The pilot indicated the airplane received damage to the propeller, wingtip, and rudder.

The closest official weather observation station is Tanana, Alaska, which is located 47 nautical miles west of the accident site. On 1252, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting, in part: Wind, 260 degrees (true) at 10 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; 3,300 feet overcast; temperature, 27 degrees F; dew point, 18 degrees F; altimeter, 29.52 inHg.

The NTSB's Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage, Alaska, requested, but did not receive a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, (NTSB Form 6120.1) from the pilot.