Incident Details
A non-certificated pilot was operating an airplane when it slid to the right, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Statements
The pilot initially reported that he was taxiing to test the brakes. According to his statement, the airplane slid to the right during the taxi test, impacted a snowbank, and nosed over. He emphasized that "this was not a flight, takeoff or landing. Simply went off [the] runway during a taxi test of [the] brakes."
However, a conflicting account was provided by the Sheriff's office to the Federal Aviation Administration. In that statement, the pilot said he was low on fuel and, after landing, hit a snowdrift and nosed over.
The circumstances leading to the accident remain unclear due to the differing accounts.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.