On July 4, 2004, a Cessna T210M (registration N761TD) operated by Doyle E. Pergande was involved in an aviation accident near Mallard Creek, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a grass runway with soft ground conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported encountering a wind swirl while landing on a short grass runway. The aircraft touched down on the left shoulder and subsequently nosed over due to soft ground conditions.
What happened
The pilot provided a written statement describing the circumstances of the accident during the landing phase. The flight was directed toward a north-bound, 2,000-foot grass runway. During the approach and touchdown, the pilot reported encountering what he described as a "wind swirl." Although the pilot attempted to correct for this aerodynamic disturbance, the aircraft made contact with the left shoulder of the runway rather than the main paved or firm surface.
Shortly after the initial touchdown, the airplane encountered soft ground conditions. This loss of traction and support caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in the aircraft nosing over.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a grass runway with soft ground conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.