# NTSB SEA96LA018: Piper PA-22-160, N8431D, Seeley Lake, MT, November 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1995, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Seeley Lake, MT
- Coordinates: 47.239799, -113.530822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2398&lon=-113.5308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.  THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERFLEW THE RUNWAY TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE DEPTH OF THE SNOW ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAW TIRE TRACKS NEXT TO THE RUNWAY AND THOUGHT THAT THE DEPTH WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES. THE PILOT INITIATED AN APPROACH FOR A LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SNOW AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE SNOW WAS FIVE INCHES DEEP WITH A CRUSTY TOP LAYER. THE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY STATES THAT THE AIRPORT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On November 15, 1995, at 1020 mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 22-160, N8431D, nosed over during the landing roll at the Seeley Lake Airport, Seeley Lake, Montana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The flight originated from Butte, Montana, on November 15, 1995, at 0830.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot stated that he overflew the runway twice to try to determine the depth of the snow that covered the runway.  The pilot saw vehicle tracks next to the runway and thought that the depth was about two inches.  The pilot initiated an approach to runway 34, and after the airplane touched down and began the landing roll, the nose gear dug into the snow and the airplane nosed over.

It was later determined that the depth of the snow was approximately five inches deep with a crusty top layer.

The Northwest Airport/Facility Directory states that the airport is closed from November-May.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8431D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8431D-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 22-5686, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5686
- Airframe hours: 3193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry G. Brewer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1995, 18 hours before
- Departed: BTU, BUTTE, MT
- Airport: 23S, Seeley Lake, runway 34, 3,475 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,240 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,180 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19951115036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951115036519A), Nov 15, 1995: Piper PA22160, Seeley Lake, MT, Substantial damage. Landed on snow covered runway. Nosed over. Snow depth five inches. NOTAM airport closed. November til may.

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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