# NTSB LAX04CA085: Cessna 172N, N390BV, Hayfork, CA, January 3, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 3, 2004, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hayfork, CA
- Coordinates: 40.547222, -123.181663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5472&lon=-123.1817&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA085

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt a landing on a snow covered runway without ascertaining the depth of the snow cover.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport snow removal - not performed
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The airplane nosed over during the landing roll, after encountering snow.  The pilot attempted a short-field landing to a snow covered runway.  During the landing roll, snow accumulated in front of the nose wheel.  The airplane nosed over, and the propeller struck the ground, followed by the left and right wings.  The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.  The pilot reported that he saw tire tracks on the approach end of the runway prior to landing.  After landing, he realized that they were from a vehicle, not an airplane.

## Factual narrative

On January 3, 2004, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N390BV, nosed over during the landing roll, after encountering snow, at the Hayfork Airport (Q72), Hayfork, California.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The flight last departed the Hyampom Airport (Q75), Hyampom, California, at 1345, and originated from Lake California Air Park (68CA0), Cottonwood, California, earlier that day.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the cross-country personal flight.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).  He reported that he attempted a short-field landing to a snow covered runway.  During the landing roll, snow accumulated in front of the nose wheel.  The airplane nosed over, and the propeller struck the ground, followed by the left and right wings.  The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.  Prior to his initial departure, the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing.

In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he saw tire tracks on the approach end of the runway prior to landing.  After landing, he realized that they were from a vehicle, not an airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N390BV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272997
- Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-H2AD reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Terry Lytle
- Registered owner: Terry and Carol Lytle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Q75, Hyampom, CA
- Destination: Q72, Hayfork, CA
- Airport: Q72, Hayfork, runway 07

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 302 total, 113 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040103000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040103000249A), Jan 3, 2004: Cessna 172N, Hayfork, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot noticed tracks in the snow while orbiting the airport. The pilot stated the tracks went from the landing area to the parking area. The pilot…

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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