ANC96LA004

The pilot was attempting to land on a snow covered mountain meadow. He estimated the depth of the snow to be 1 to 2 inches. Prior to landing, he attempted to drag the landing area by lightly touching the main gear on the landing surface. When the main gear touched the snow, the airplane nosed over. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed that the snow was 6 inches deep and very wet.

On October 7, 1995, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4463Z, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over while "dragging" the intended landing area. The accident occurred 15 miles south of Beluga Lake near Tyonek, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, and the destination was the intended landing area. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private certificated pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

During a telephone conversation with the pilot on October 10, 1995, he stated he was going to land near the snow line. Prior to landing he wanted to "drag" the landing area. When the wheels touched the snow the airplane nosed over immediately. The pilot stated the snow was deeper than he thought. The pilot defined "dragging" the strip as the intentional flight over the landing area and the touching down of the airplane's main wheels on the landing surface in an effort to determine the condition of the landing surface. The pilot stated that he thought the snow was one to two inches deep. After exiting the airplane he noticed that the snow was six inches deep and very wet.