Casualties unknown

Airplane Noses Over After Landing on Snow-Covered Runway at Closed Airport (N9841Q)

Council, ID, US

On January 7, 1993, a Piper PA-18-135 (registration N9841Q) operated by US State Animal Damage Cont was involved in an aviation accident near Council, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE LOW PASS. THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION WERE FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed on a snow-covered runway, causing the wheels to sink and the airplane to nose over and invert. The airport had been closed since December 27, 1992, but the pilot was unaware.

Incident Overview

A pilot landed an airplane on a snow-covered runway, resulting in the aircraft nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that upon arrival at the airport, he observed that the runway had not been recently plowed of snow. He performed a low pass to the north over the runway in an attempt to determine the snow depth. After turning the airplane around, he approached the runway to the south to conduct a run and "drag" the wheels on the snow.

Sequence of Events

The wheels contacted the snow just past midfield. The pilot stated, "Immediately we were in too deep and I was unable to pull it out or add power..." The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Airport Status

Airport personnel reported that the airport was NOTAMed closed since December 27, 1992. The pilot did not make contact with the airport operator prior to the accident and stated that he was unaware that the airport was closed.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11753. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.