SEELEY LAKE, MT, USA
N8431D
PIPER PA-22-160
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERFLEW THE RUNWAY TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE DEPTH OF THE SNOW ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAW TIRE TRACKS NEXT TO THE RUNWAY AND THOUGHT THAT THE DEPTH WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES. THE PILOT INITIATED AN APPROACH FOR A LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SNOW AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE SNOW WAS FIVE INCHES DEEP WITH A CRUSTY TOP LAYER. THE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY STATES THAT THE AIRPORT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
On November 15, 1995, at 1020 mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 22-160, N8431D, nosed over during the landing roll at the Seeley Lake Airport, Seeley Lake, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Butte, Montana, on November 15, 1995, at 0830. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot stated that he overflew the runway twice to try to determine the depth of the snow that covered the runway. The pilot saw vehicle tracks next to the runway and thought that the depth was about two inches. The pilot initiated an approach to runway 34, and after the airplane touched down and began the landing roll, the nose gear dug into the snow and the airplane nosed over. It was later determined that the depth of the snow was approximately five inches deep with a crusty top layer. The Northwest Airport/Facility Directory states that the airport is closed from November-May.
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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