# NTSB LAX97LA077: Cessna 140, N76857, Emigrant Gap, CA, December 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 25, 1996, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Emigrant Gap, CA - Coordinates: 39.249694, -120.69075 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2497&lon=-120.6907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29707 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29707/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of altitude/clearance while attempting a precautionary landing on a closed, snow covered runway. ## 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 - low pass - attempted, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - visual illusion, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was making a low pass over the closed, snow covered runway to determine if a precautionary landing could be made due to 'unusual engine roughness.' During the low pass the airplane unexpectedly settled on the snow covered runway. He stated that this was due to the 'featureless condition of the snow covered runway and a gradual rise in ground elevation [which] caused a decreased depth perception.' The pilot reported that the snow covered condition of the runway resulted in a rapid deceleration of the aircraft's speed, the aircraft landing, and nosing over once it came to a stop. An FAA inspector reported that there was approximately 1 foot of snow on the runway, and that the aircraft traveled about 30 yards after it touched down midfield. The inspector also reported that no discrepancies were identified with the engine or airframe. ## Factual narrative On December 25, 1996, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140, N76857, nosed over during landing on a closed, snow covered runway at the Blue Canyon Airport, Emigrant Gap, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Angwin, California, on the day of the accident at 0930 as a cross-country personal flight to Emigrant Gap. The pilot stated that he was making a low pass over the runway to determine if a precautionary landing could be made due to "unusual engine roughness." During the low pass the airplane unexpectedly settled on the snow covered runway. He stated that this was due to the "featureless condition of the snow covered runway and a gradual rise in ground elevation [which] caused a decreased depth perception." The pilot reported that the snow covered condition of the runway resulted in a rapid deceleration of the aircraft's speed, the aircraft landing, and nosing over once it came to a stop. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Reno, Nevada, Flight Standards District Office traveled to the site. He reported that there was approximately 1 foot of snow on the runway, and that the aircraft traveled about 30 yards after it touched down midfield. The inspector also reported that no discrepancies were identified with the engine or airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76857-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 11291, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11291 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen A. Fox - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 2O3, ANGWIN, CA - Destination: BLU - Airport: BLU, Blue Canyon, runway 15, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,129 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,093 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLU ## 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 19961225040209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961225040209A), Dec 25, 1996: Cessna 140, Emigrant Gap, CA, Substantial damage. Reported low pass over foot deep snow covered runway. Landed rolled briefly. Nosed over. No mechanical defects. 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.