On January 25, 2001, a Cessna 120 (registration N3070N) was involved in an aviation accident near Trenton, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper touchdown in the snow after the airplane became prematurely airborne during an attempted takeoff. A factor was the pilot's inadequate training. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tailwheel aircraft equipped with skis nosed over during a takeoff practice in snow after prematurely lifting off over a berm, resulting in damage to the left wing and propeller.
Accident Details
A pilot was conducting a flight with the purpose of practicing takeoffs and landings in snow conditions. The aircraft, a tailwheel configuration fitted with skis, was taking off when it lifted off prematurely after crossing a small berm. The airplane then descended back onto the snow. During the descent, the left ski submerged beneath the snow surface, and the left wing tip and propeller struck the snow. The aircraft subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported having a total of 130 hours of flight experience, of which 30 hours were in the same make and model and 12 hours were on skis. The pilot stated that he had no formal instruction in operating ski-equipped airplanes and that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the aircraft.