Accident Details
A commercial certificated pilot was departing a snow-covered frozen lake in a ski-equipped airplane. The lake was covered by approximately one and a half feet of snow. The pilot reported that the lake was about a quarter-mile long and that the takeoff was to the east.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff run, as the airplane was about to lift off, the left ski struck a bump or an unseen object in the snow. The impact caused the left ski tip to rotate downward to a near-vertical position. The pilot noted that the ski tip retaining cable and bungee were left dangling loose. In response, the pilot made an emergency landing on the lake. During touchdown, the tip of the left ski dug into the snow, causing the airplane to nosed over.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage as a result of the nose-over.