The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, before landing at an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, he chose to do a "low flyby with a light touch" to gauge the landing surface condition. When the airplane touched down on "what looked like compact snow", the landing gear dug into the snow crust, and the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, windshield, and the empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.