Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in an encounter with snow and subsequent nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was practicing take-offs and landings and described that during the landing flare, a gust of wind pushed the airplane toward the left side of the runway. The airplane’s left main wheel then encountered snow on the side of the runway that pulled the airplane to the left. When the airplane’s nose wheel hit the snow, the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and both wings of the airplane were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA074 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 11, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dexter, Maine
- Nearest airport
- Dexter Regional Airport (1B0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N19801
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- 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.