On March 3, 2003, a Cessna 150M (registration N714NF) was involved in an aviation accident near Gateway, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the snow-covered runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing on an unimproved dirt strip with light snow, the pilot touched down but lost directional control after the left main gear hit snow or mud, causing the aircraft to nose over.
Landing Approach
The pilot decided to land on an unimproved dirt strip. The approach was to the south and uphill. The runway had light snow with vegetation visible on both sides. The flaps were extended an indeterminate amount, and power was reduced.
Touchdown and Loss of Control
As the airplane settled to the runway, the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear. When the nose gear settled, the left main gear hit a patch of snow or mud and grabbed. The pilot applied right rudder and aileron control inputs in an attempt to maintain directional control. Subsequently, the right main landing gear hit some snow, and the airplane tipped up on its left wingtip and propeller spinner before nosing over.