N76203

Substantial
None

Cessna 120S/N: 10606

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, January 14, 2006
NTSB Number
CHI06CA066
Location
Hibbing, MN
Event ID
20060126X00126
Coordinates
47.386665, -92.839164
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot used a rough frozen lake for takeoff which resulted in the overload failure of the landing ski. A factor was the rough frozen lake.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
10606
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
120C120
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
120

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DURAND GREGORY M
Address
786 LAKEWOOD LN
City
MARQUETTE
State / Zip Code
MI 49855-9518
Country
United States

Analysis

The ski equipped airplane nosed over while landing on a frozen lake. The pilot reported that when he departed another seaplane base, the surface was very rough due frozen slush created by snow mobiles. He reported that when he touched down on the frozen lake, he heard a "loud grinding" noise and the airplane slowed down rapidly. The pilot stated the grinding noise stopped then started again only much louder. He reported the nose of the airplane dropped and the propeller contacted the ice. The pilot reported the airplane then dropped to the right and flipped over onto its back. The pilot reported the ground track from the left ski was "rounded" at initial touchdown followed by a space then a much narrower and deeper track. He reported the four quarter-inch bolts sheared off between the axle and the gear leg on the left ski.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI06CA066