Cessna 120 N72904 accident near Kneeland, California

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during touchdown on a snow-covered runway, he reduced engine power to idle shortly after touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane rapidly decelerated and the tail began to rise. The pilot maintained full aft yoke; however, the airplane nosed over and came to rest on the runway, inverted. The horizontal stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot added that prior to landing, he conducted a low pass over the runway, and thought the snow was only a few inches deep, however, following the accident, he estimated the snow was about 5 to 6 inches deep. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA106 for the full record.