# NTSB CHI06CA066: Cessna 120, N76203, Hibbing, MN, January 14, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 14, 2006, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hibbing, MN
- Coordinates: 47.386665, -92.839164
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3867&lon=-92.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis, MN FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA066

## Probable cause

The pilot used a rough frozen lake for takeoff which resulted in the overload failure of the landing ski.  A factor was the rough frozen lake.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - frozen
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - overload (cause)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - failure,partial (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,ski assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The ski equipped airplane nosed over while landing on a frozen lake.  The pilot reported that when he departed another seaplane base, the surface was very rough due to frozen slush created by snow mobiles.  He reported that when he touched down on the frozen lake, he heard a "loud grinding" noise and the airplane slowed down rapidly.  The pilot stated that the grinding noise stopped then started again only much louder.  He reported that the nose of the airplane dropped and the propeller contacted the ice.  The pilot reported that the airplane then dropped to the right and flipped over onto its back.  The pilot reported that the ground track from the left ski was "rounded" at initial touchdown followed by a space then a much narrower and deeper track.  He reported that the four quarter-inch bolts sheared off between the axle and the gear leg on the left ski.

## Factual narrative

The ski equipped airplane nosed over while landing on a frozen lake.  The pilot reported that when he departed another seaplane base, the surface was very rough due frozen slush created by snow mobiles.  He reported that when he touched down on the frozen lake, he heard a "loud grinding" noise and the airplane slowed down rapidly.  The pilot stated the grinding noise stopped then started again only much louder.  He reported the nose of the airplane dropped and the propeller contacted the ice.  The pilot reported the airplane then dropped to the right and flipped over onto its back.  The pilot reported the ground track from the left ski was "rounded" at initial touchdown followed by a space then a much narrower and deeper track.  He reported the four quarter-inch bolts sheared off between the axle and the gear leg on the left ski.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76203](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76203), registered now, S/N 10606, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10606
- Engines: Continental C-85 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger T. Weber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9Y5, Ely, MN
- Destination: Hibbing, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; flight hours: 934 total, 282 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: HIB

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20060114000659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060114000659A), Jan 14, 2006: Cessna 120, Hibbing, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) The airman departed from the sky harbor seaplane base (9Y5), eveleth, MN, at approximately 1300 central standard time (CST). The airman recalled that the…

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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