Accident Overview
A pilot attempted to land a tail-wheel airplane in a field. During the landing, the airplane touched down on its main wheels in a tail-low attitude. The pilot did not initially realize that the snow covering the field was too soft and deep to support the airplane.
Details
After touchdown, the pilot added full power and pulled back on the control stick in an effort to prevent the airplane from nosing over. Despite these actions, the airplane nosed over and slid for approximately 7 feet before coming to rest.
Damage
The vertical stabilizer and rudder were damaged when the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to the accident.
Pilot Comments
Following the accident, the pilot determined that the snow was about 14 inches deep. He commented that although the airplane was equipped with large-diameter tires, the snow was too deep for a safe landing.