What happened
The accident occurred during the landing roll of an aircraft on a dirt runway located near Mexican Hat, Utah. The pilot was conducting a business trip at the time of the incident. According to the pilot's account, the aircraft encountered a bump in the runway surface which caused it to become momentarily airborne.
Following this disturbance, crosswind conditions caused the aircraft to settle onto the soft right side of the runway. The nose gear subsequently folded under the stress, causing the N98SW to nosed over into an inverted position. Despite the significant damage to the airframe, there was no fire and no injuries reported among those on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the physical evidence at the site and the pilot's narrative regarding the landing dynamics. Examination of the runway revealed uneven surfaces consistent with a dirt strip that had developed bumps over time. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose gear and forward fuselage due to the nosing-over event.
Findings
Contributing factors to the accident included the unpaved nature of the runway, which presented surface irregularities, and the crosswind conditions during the landing roll. The pilot's decision to land on a dirt strip with known or potential surface hazards played a role in the sequence of events leading to the nosedown attitude.
Safety message
Pilots operating into unpaved airstrips should exercise extreme caution regarding runway surface conditions. Bumps and uneven terrain can cause loss of directional control or structural damage, particularly when combined with crosswind components. Pre-flight assessment of landing strip conditions is critical for safe operations in remote areas.