IAD05LA088

The pilot elected to divert from his next intended stop, on a multi-stop, local flight. Using the nearest function on the airplane's GPS receiver, he found the closest airport, and, decided to land there. During the landing, the airplane encountered soft sand, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. The airport had been closed about 3 months prior to the accident, and an FAA NOTAM listed it as such.

On June 23, 2005, at 1445 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T206H, N72806, was substantially damaged following a nose over during the landing roll at Rudy's Airport (25N), Vineland, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, which departed from Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey.

According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings.

After departing Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, the pilot proceeded to Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N), Ocean City, New Jersey, and performed two landings. He then flew to Millville, where he landed, contacted the local flight service station, and requested a report of the airport weather conditions. He subsequently departed Millville with an intended destination of Flying W Airport (N14), Lumberton, New Jersey.

About 5 minutes after departing Millville, the pilot decided that he wanted to land at a different airport than he had originally intended, and used the "nearest" function on the airplane's global positioning system (GPS) receiver to locate the nearest airport, which was Rudy's Airport. He then examined his sectional chart and found that the airport was a public use, turf airport, and subsequently elected to perform a landing there.

The pilot entered the traffic pattern on the left downwind leg, and landed on runway 08. He described the landing as "bumpy," but not unlike any other soft field landings he had performed in the past. As the airplane slowed during the landing rollout, the nose landing gear encountered soft sand, and the airplane nosed over.

An FAA inspector examined the airplane and determined that it had incurred substantial damage during the accident. The inspector also examined the pilot's sectional aeronautical chart, and found that it was valid through February 20, 2003.

The inspector also stated that the airport windsock had been removed, and that large orange 'X' markings had been placed at both ends of the runway.

A NOTAM published by the FAA regarding Rudy's Airport stated the following:

05/001 25N ap clsd perm

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, and instrument airplane. He was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate in February of 2003.

The weather reported at Millville, at 1454, included winds from 180 degrees at 7 knots, variable between 100 and 230 degrees, and few clouds at 3,400 feet.