Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land on a closed, snow-covered runway.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was landing on a remote, snow-covered, seasonal airstrip that was closed. He reported that when the airplane touched down, the nose gear broke through the 5-6 inches of crusted snow on the runway and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory entry for the airport noted that the airport was unattended and closed from October 1 through June 1 each year.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA099 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 6, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Metaline Falls, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Sullivan Lake State Airport (09S)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182J
- N-number
- N48ZZ
- 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.