Pilot Lands at Wrong Airport, Nose Overs on Snow-Covered Airstrip

Incident Description

A pilot was flying from one airport to another using a highway as a reference. During the flight, he spotted an airport that he believed to be his destination and proceeded to make a straight-in approach for landing. Just before touchdown, the pilot realized that he was not landing at the correct airport but instead was approaching a snow-covered, unplowed private airstrip. He stated that he did not have time to execute a go-around and consequently landed on the snow.

Upon landing, the airplane crossed a snow machine track and nosed over. The pilot reported that the engine firewall and both wings sustained substantial damage as a result of the incident.