# NTSB WPR10CA099: Cessna 182J, N48ZZ, Metaline Falls, WA, January 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2010, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Metaline Falls, WA - Coordinates: 48.840831, -117.283889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8408&lon=-117.2839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on a closed, snow-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing on a remote, snow-covered, seasonal airstrip that was closed. He reported that when the airplane touched down, the nose gear broke through the 5-6 inches of crusted snow on the runway and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory entry for the airport noted that the airport was unattended and closed from October 1 through June 1 each year. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing a wheel-equipped airplane on a remote, snow-covered, seasonal airstrip that was closed. He reported that when the airplane touched down, the nose gear broke through the 5-6 inches of crusted snow on the runway and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The FAA Airport Facility Directory entry for the airport noted that the airport was unattended and closed from October 1 through June 1 each year. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48ZZ-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 18257590, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182J - Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18257590 - Airframe hours: 4372 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clint Vanderhoof - Registered owner: Minden Kenneth J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2009 - Departed: Ione, WA - Destination: 09S, Metaline Falls, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 09S, Sullivan Lake State Airport, runway 34, 1,765 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2009; flight hours: 2,000 total, 54 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 20100106025649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100106025649A), Jan 6, 2010: Cessna 182J, Metaline Falls, WA, Substantial damage. Airman elected to land on an unimproved runway during the off season when the airport is reported as closed as per airport facility directory. Runway was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75235. 259 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Afd (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=AFD-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.