Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI05CA084

Baudette, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N8954B

Cessna 172

Analysis

The airplane nosed over following a loss of directional control while landing on a frozen lake. The landing was being made to the south on a trail that had been made on the lake. The pilot stated the crosswind blew the airplane off of the trail during the landing roll. He stated he attempted to regain control of the airplane by applying right rudder. He stated the nose wheel contacted 6-inch deep snow off the side of the trail at which time the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported the local winds were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

Factual Information

On March 26, 2005, at 1045 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N8954B, nosed over following a loss of directional control while landing the frozen Lake of the Woods, near Baudette, Minnesota. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Pine River, Minnesota, at 0830. The landing was being made to the south on a trail that had been made on the lake. The pilot stated the crosswind blew the airplane off of the trail during the landing roll. He stated he attempted to regain control of the airplane by applying right rudder. He stated the nose wheel contacted 6-inch deep snow off the side of the trail at which time the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported the local winds were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the snow covered surface on which the landing was being made, and the deeper snow which the airplane contacted.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports