# NTSB SEA96LA053: Cessna R172K, N2925V, Garden Valley, ID, March 3, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1996, 17:00 local (Mar 3, 1996, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Garden Valley, ID
- Coordinates: 44.080013, -115.850616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0800&lon=-115.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.  The snow covered runway was a related factor.

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

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he made two passes over the snow-covered runway and estimated only about three inches of snow on the surface. An approach for a soft field landing was made. During the landing roll, the nose wheel dug into the snow and the airplane nosed over. After the accident, about 15 inches of snow was found on the runway surface.

## Factual narrative

On March 2, 1996, at 1700 mountain standard time, a Cessna R172K, N2925V, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at the Garden Valley Airport, Garden Valley, Idaho.  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 originated from Nampa, Idaho, about 40 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported that he made two passes over the airport and thought that there were only about three inches of snow on the runway surface.  An approach for a soft field landing was made to runway 10.  During the landing roll, the airplane's nose wheel dug into the snow and the airplane nosed over.  It was later determined that there were approximately 15 inches of snow on the runway.

The Airport/Facility Directory for the Garden Valley Airport indicates that the airport is unattended and there is no winter maintenance.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2925V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2925V), registered now, S/N R1722234, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722234
- Airframe hours: 1243
- Engines: Continental IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald T. Deboard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1995, 35 hours before
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: U88, Garden Valley, runway 10, 3,850 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 106 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19960302003389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960302003389A), Mar 2, 1996: Cessna R172K, Garden Valley, ID, Substantial damage. Landed on snow covered runway. Nosed over. Later determined snow depth on runway was 15 inches.

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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