Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was landing a wheel-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered river when the main landing gear wheels encountered soft snow and the airplane nosed over, causing substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA017 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 17, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nenana, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Champion 7GCBC
- N-number
- N5160X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.