Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the runway surface firmness, which resulted in a nose-over during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
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.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that after overflying the snow-covered runway he determined that it was suitable to land on. His determination was based in part on observing snowmobile tracks on the runway, which indicated to him that the surface was firm enough to land on. After touching down he held the nose wheel off the ground with full aft elevator pressure, but when he lowered the nose wheel onto the snow-covered surface the airplane pitched down violently. The airplane subsequently 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.