Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the runway surface firmness, which resulted in a nose-over during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he determined that the snow-covered runway was suitable for landing, based, in part, upon overflying it and seeing snowmobile tracks, which indicated to him that the surface was firm enough. After touching down on the main landing gear, the pilot held the nosewheel off the ground with full-aft elevator pressure, but, when the nosewheel settled, the airplane pitched down violently. It traveled for about 80 feet in the nose-down attitude before it abruptly nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and rudder. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded its normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA060 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 10, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lowman, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Warm Springs Creek (0U1)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182C
- N-number
- N800YD
- 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.