Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B N35AH accident near Swan Valley, Idaho

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll on a snow-covered runway surface.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during a landing on a snow-covered, private grass airstrip, he did not adequately confirm the landing surface condition. Subsequently, as the airplane slowed down during the landing roll, the landing gear penetrated through a shallow layer of hard packed snow and then dug into several inches of snow, which caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA139 for the full record.