# NTSB SEA99LA024: Cessna 120, N120L, Omak, WA, December 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1998, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Omak, WA - Coordinates: 48.35923, -119.270072 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3592&lon=-119.2701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA024 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the snow covered runway and a snowbank (berm) at the runway's edge. ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N120L), registered now, S/N 12858, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12858 - Airframe hours: 3620 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Marsh, Travis, V. - Registered owner: Marsh, Douglas, C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1998, 45 hours before - Departed: OMK - Airport: OMK, Omak, runway 17, 4,654 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 80 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OMK ## 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 19981226033849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981226033849A), Dec 26, 1998: Cessna 120, Omak, WA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Acft lost directional control while doing touch and go landings. (.19) on December 26, 1998, approximately 1500 pacific standard time, a Cessna 120, N120L,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.