# NTSB WPR21LA096: Heckel Super Sportsman, N55BT, Spotted Bear, MT, January 24, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 24, 2021, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Spotted Bear, MT - Coordinates: 47.997177, -113.58001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9972&lon=-113.5800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA096 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll on an unimproved snow-covered runway which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05618MP), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618MP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05618MP), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05618MP), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, prior to landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he conducted a low approach over the snow-covered runway for inspection. During the low approach, the pilot observed runway markers and numerous parallel tracks on the runway and decided to land. During landing roll, the airplane encountered an area of soft snow that was deeper than expected, which resulted in the airplane immediately stopping, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55BT), registered now, S/N 101 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Heckel Super Sportsman - Registry model: [Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/heckel-robert-p-super-sportsman) (registry code 05618MP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 101 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 656 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 11, 2020, 74 hours before - Departed: 8S1, Polson, MT - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 8U4, Spotted Bear /Usfs/, runway 14/32, 3,800 × 78 ft, snow - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 21,430 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KGPI, 33 nm away - METAR: KGPI 241655Z 00000KT 10SM OVC017 M07/M09 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP133 T10671094 ## 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 20210124000599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210124000599A), Jan 24, 2021: Heckel Robert P SUPER SPORTSMAN, Spotted Bear, MT, Substantial damage. The weather was clear and winds were light and variable. The PIC overflew the field, saw tracks on the runway and he decided to land. After landing, on the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102559. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11967934&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11968243&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-Rel.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.