Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent landing on a frozen lake in dark night conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was cleared to land his wheel-equipped airplane at a lighted gravel airstrip at night, when he mistakenly landed on a frozen, snow-covered lake used by ski-equipped airplanes. The lake was adjacent to the airstrip. During the landing roll, the airplane's wheels contacted deep snow, and it nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Airport rescue personnel reported that, when they arrived on scene, the pilot said that he had landed on the airstrip and that he was unaware that he had inadvertently landed on a frozen lake. He also said that he was familiar with the airstrip, as he had flown in and out of the airstrip for many years. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was cleared to land his wheel-equipped airplane at a lighted gravel airstrip, at night, when he mistakenly landed on a frozen, snow-covered lake used by ski-equipped airplanes. The lake was adjacent to the airstrip. During the landing roll, the airplane's wheels contacted deep snow, and it nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Airport rescue personnel reported when they arrived on scene, the pilot said that he had landed on the airstrip, and he was unaware that he had inadvertently landed on a frozen lake. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.