Accident Details
A pilot flying a tundra tire-equipped tailwheel airplane conducted one high and two low reconnaissance flights over a snow-covered runway. After these flights, the pilot intended to perform a low pass to drag the main landing gear along the surface, a maneuver commonly known as dragging the landing site, to determine the depth of the snow.
As the main landing gear wheels touched down atop the frozen layer of crusty snow, the wheels broke through the surface, and the airplane's tail began to rise. In an effort to prevent a nose over, the pilot applied full power. However, the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder and both the left and right lift struts.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot suggested that the accident may have been prevented if he had utilized a flatter approach with increased airspeed, similar to a glassy water approach, while dragging the airstrip.