# NTSB LAX08CA053: Cessna 172N, N734KU, Beaver Marsh, OR, January 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 25, 2008, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Beaver Marsh, OR - Coordinates: 43.128887, -121.817779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1289&lon=-121.8178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to land on a snow covered runway without first determining the depth of the snow. ## 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 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072434), [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-flare/touchdown: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot neared the airport, he decided to land as the passengers needed to use the airport's facilities. Using several visual clues, including some nearby vegetation, he estimated that the runway had a layer of snow on the surface several inches in depth. The airplane touched down on the snow covered runway and the airplane suddenly stopped, nosing over inverted. Once on the ground, the pilot found that the snow was in actuality over 1-foot deep. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative In a written statement and telephone conversations with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that as he entered the vicinity of the destination airport, he decided to land as the passengers needed to use the airport's facilities. Using the visual clues of sprigs of grass, he determined that the runway had a layer of snow on the surface several inches in depth. After making a stabilized approach he touched down in the snow and the airplane suddenly stopped, nosing over inverted. After egressing the airplane, the pilot noted that the snow was in actuality over 1-foot deep. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He stated that because he could not confirm the snow cover, he should not have attempted to land at that airport. The wing spar sustained damage during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734KU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734KU), registered now, S/N 17268921, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268921 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Twin Oaks Airpark, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: 2S2, Beaver Marsh, OR - Airport: 2S2, Beaver Marsh State Airport, runway 18, 4,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 537 total, 248 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F ## 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 20080125000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080125000379A), Jan 25, 2008: Cessna 172N, Beaver Marsh, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 25, 2008 aircraft departed twin oaks airfield in hillsboro, Oregon with three people on board for a flightseeing tour of the crater lake area.… ## Other investigations on N734KU (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA036), Feb 8, 2003: Cessna 172N (N734KU), McMinnville, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds and soft terrain in the area where… 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.