What happened
The aircraft was involved in an incident during the landing phase of flight. The pilot executed a soft field landing on a runway covered with snow. Upon approach and touchdown, the aircraft struck a snow drift located on the runway surface.
The pilot reported that there were no visible tracks in the snow covering the runway, which may have obscured the uneven terrain. Despite the lack of visual cues regarding the runway condition, the pilot proceeded with the landing because there was no Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating that the airport was closed or that the runway was unsafe for operations.
During the touchdown sequence, the snow on the runway surface grabbed the landing gear. This interaction caused the aircraft to lose stability and subsequently nose over. The incident highlights the risks associated with landing on unmarked, snow-covered runways where surface conditions are not clearly visible to the pilot.
The investigation
Examination of the event focused on the environmental conditions and the pilot's decision-making process. The runway was fully covered in snow, eliminating standard visual references for depth and texture. A specific snow drift was identified as the primary physical obstacle that disrupted the landing gear's contact with the ground.
Findings
Contributing factors to this incident included the presence of a snow drift on the runway and the lack of visible tracks which concealed the hazard. The pilot's assessment of the runway condition was influenced by the absence of a NOTAM closing the airport, leading to the decision to proceed with the landing despite poor visibility of surface irregularities.