On February 1, 2019, a Piper PA 12 No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Cedar City, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while conducting a touch-and-go landing on an unimproved, snow-covered airstrip, which resulted in a nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot performed a low flyby with a light touch on a snow-covered airstrip to assess conditions, but the landing gear broke through the snow crust, causing the airplane to nose over and sustain substantial damage.
Incident Overview
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that prior to landing at an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, he elected to perform a "low flyby with a light touch" to evaluate the landing surface. During the maneuver, the airplane touched down on what the pilot described as "what looked like compact snow." The landing gear subsequently dug into the snow crust, causing the airplane to nosed over.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the windshield, and the empennage.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Pitch control — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation
What happened in the 1 Feb 2019 Piper PA 12 No Series accident near Cedar City, UT?
A pilot performed a low flyby with a light touch on a snow-covered airstrip to assess conditions, but the landing gear broke through the snow crust, causing the airplane to nose over and sustain substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 1 Feb 2019 Piper PA 12 No Series accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Feb 2019 involved a Piper PA 12 No Series, at Cedar City, UT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while conducting a touch-and-go landing on an unimproved, snow-covered airstrip, which resulted in a nose-over.
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