SEA99LA024

The 95 total hour (80 hours make/model) pilot-in-command reported that upon touchdown on runway 17 at the Omak airport the aircraft bounced slightly and then touched down left of the centerline and at a slight angle. The runway surface had a thin layer of snow covering its surface and the pilot was unsuccessful in regaining directional control using brakes and rudder. The aircraft then departed the runway approximately 45 degrees from the centerline and impacted a snowbank (berm) along the runway's east edge, subsequently nosing over. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical problem with the aircraft and winds were 4 knots from 070 degrees magnetic.

On December 26, 1998, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 120, N120L, registered to Douglas Marsh and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft nosed over following a collision with a snowbank (berm) along the east edge of runway 17 during a loss of control on landing, at the Omak airport, Omak, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Omak airport approximately 1415.

The pilot, who had 95 hours of flight experience (total time), of which 80 were in the Cessna 120, reported that he was performing touch and go landings on runway 17. He further reported that "on final I set up for a 3-point landing and made a normal landing flare. Upon touchdown the aircraft made a slight bounce and then touched down with a very slight angle to the left of centerline. I believe the left wheel landed on a dry patch and the right on snow, which compounded the problem, and I was then departing the runway at a 45-degree angle to the left. I tried to correct with rudder and brakes but with the snow there was minimal response. Upon contacting the snow berm (approx. 24" high) at the runways [sic] edge, it flipped the aircraft over on its back just off of the runway." (Refer to Photograph 1 and DIAGRAM I).

The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. Winds at Omak airport at 1456 hours were recorded as coming from 070 degrees magnetic at 4 knots.