SEA95LA169

While on final approach for landing, the pilot noted equipment on the runway and opted to go-around. The pilot stated that he then circled around to land in the grassy area next to the runway. At 20 to 50 feet AGL, the pilot noted a culvert and added power and pulled up to go-around; however, the airplane stalled and started to lose altitude. The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed but the nose wheel contacted the ground and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that he was not aware of the NOTAM in effect that reported the runway closed for resurfacing.

On August 1, 1995, at 1430 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172C, N1364Y, collided with the terrain and nosed over during the landing roll at Red Lodge Airport, Red Lodge, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from Worland, Wyoming, on August 1, 1995, at 1315, for the personal flight.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he made two passes over the runway to check for the wind conditions. The pilot determined that the wind was calm and made an approach to runway 34. While on final approach, the pilot noted a truck in the middle of the runway and he opted to go-around. The pilot stated that he decided to look for a grassy area next to the runway and made an approach to the side of runway 16. During the soft field landing with 30 degrees of flaps extended and at approximately 20 to 50 feet above ground level, the pilot noticed a culvert and pulled up to go-around. The pilot stated that the airplane stalled and began to lose altitude. The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, however, the nose wheel contacted the ground and the airplane nosed over.

A specialist at the Casper Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) reported that the pilot had made contact with the facility while in-flight and requested the weather in the Red Lodge area and also requested the Worland altimeter setting. The specialist stated that the pilot did not request a full briefing, only the current weather. There is no record that the pilot obtained a pre-flight briefing prior to the flight.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was in effect for the Red Lodge Airport. The NOTAM reported that runway 16-34 was closed from August 1, 1995 at 0800, until August 3, 1995, at 0500, to spray oil on the runway. The pilot reported that he was not aware of the NOTAM.