On 6 Apr 2010, a CESSNA 175 operated by LERE STEVEN D was involved in an aviation accident near Eveleth, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot and passenger were uninjured when their airplane's nose landing gear collapsed during landing on a grass runway, causing the left wing to strike the ground.
Incident Overview
A pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were flying an airplane to a local airport for its annual inspection. During the landing roll on a grass runway measuring 1,900 feet long by 120 feet wide, the landing gear encountered soft terrain. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the left wing contacted the ground.
Examination and Pilot Statement
Post-incident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing was bent aft at the wing root. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The pilot reported that the airport owner had informed them that another aircraft had landed on the grass runway earlier that day, leading them to believe the surface was adequate for landing.