# NTSB ANC06CA040: Cessna 170B, N2947D, Palmer, AK, March 27, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2006, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.255279, -148.508331
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2553&lon=-148.5083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA040

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll.  A factor associated with the accident was the snow covered terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot was conducting a personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He said that while sightseeing near a frozen lake, he spotted a well-marked landing area in the snow.  He said he elected to land there, and during the landing roll the main landing gear wheels broke through the crusted snow, and the airplane nosed over.  The student pilot said the left wing, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were damaged during the accident.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot was conducting a personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He said while sightseeing near a frozen lake, he spotted a well-marked landing area in the snow.  He said he elected to land there, and during the landing roll the main landing gear wheels broke through the crusted snow, and the airplane nosed over.  The student pilot said the left wing, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were damaged during the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2947D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2947D), registered now, S/N 26890 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26890
- Airframe hours: 4224
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clinton Melin
- Registered owner: Clinton Melin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PAAQ, Palmer, AK
- Destination: Palmer, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 38 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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