Probable cause
The contamination of snow and ice on the left main landing gear and brake, which prevented the wheel from rolling during touchdown and resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after conducting two touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, he decided to land at a different airport to speak with a friend. He added that everything seemed normal during the touchdown on the snow-covered runway but that the airplane then "abruptly stopped and [nosed] over."
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder.
The pilot reported that the inside of the left main landing gear and brake was "packed with ice" and had frozen, which prevented the wheel from rotating during the landing roll.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA159 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 23, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Big Lake, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Big Lake (BGQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA22
- N-number
- N6024D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1956
- 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.