Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed during the approach and his delayed addition of power to go around and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a nose-over after landing on the closed snow-covered runway.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was receiving a flight review and the flight instructor had briefed him to fly the approach to the runway and to terminate the approach by conducting a go-around. However, the pilot allowed the airplane to become "too low and too slow." The landing gear contacted the snow-covered runway as engine power was being added, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The chart supplement for the airport indicated that the airport was closed during winter months. In addition, a NOTAM was in effect advising pilots that the runway was closed from early December through mid-May.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA111 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 3, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hill City, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Hill City-Quadna Mountain (07Y)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna P206
- N-number
- N206JF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.