# NTSB GAA18CA052: Cessna 182, N2661Q, Skwentna, AK, October 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 28, 2017, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.843055, -151.11 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8431&lon=-151.1100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96351/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA052 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to land on an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, which resulted in the airplane coming to rest inverted. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072724), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, he touched down in a configuration on the main landing gear "for a soft field landing." He added that, about 10 to 15 mph, he allowed the nosewheel to settle in the snow. Subsequently, the nosewheel broke through the crusted layer of snow, and the airplane "lurched" forward coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing on an unimproved snow covered airstrip, he touched down in a configuration on the main landing gear "for a soft field landing". He added that, at about 10-15 miles per hour, he allowed the nose wheel to settle in the snow. Subsequently, the nose wheel broke through the crusted layer of snow and the airplane "lurched" forward coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2661Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2661Q), registered now, S/N 18257861, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18257861 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3567.03 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-520 SERIES 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2017 - Departed: 4AK6, PALMER, AK - Destination: Skwentna, AK - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 763 total, 570 in this make and model, 691 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 41 nm away ## 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 20171028020429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171028020429A), Oct 28, 2017: Cessna 182K, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to land in 6" of crusted snow. When nose gear broke through the crust aircraft nosed over coming to rest on its back. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.