GREAT FALLS, MT, USA
N1594A
Piper PA-20
The private pilot was landing the tail-wheel equipped airplane on a snow covered off-airport landing site. Shortly after touch down, the airplane rapidly decelerated in the deep snow and nosed over.
On November 12, 2000, about 1515 mountain standard time, a tail-wheel equipped Piper PA-20, N1594A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport landing site approximately 18 miles south of Great Falls, Montana. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated at Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, Montana, approximately one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, he was conducting a practice emergency approach and landing to a remote, snow covered, off-airport landing site. He reported that when the aircraft touched down, in a three-point attitude, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the landing surface and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane's right and left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain. Factors include snow covered terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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