N7951V

Substantial
None

CESSNA A150MS/N: A1500524

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, February 27, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA148
Location
Grass Valley, CA
Event ID
20110227X70413
Coordinates
39.221111, -121.001945
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The aircraft's encounter with deep snow during the landing roll out. Contributing to the accident was the airport manager's failure to update the AWOS recording to reflect the closure of the runway due to snow.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7951V
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
A1500524
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
A150MC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
2825 13TH AVE S
Status
Deregistered
City
MINNEAPOLIS
State / Zip Code
MN 55407-1417
Country
United States

Analysis

Upon entering into the airport environment, the pilot observed a snow covered runway. He obtained an automated weather observation report (AWOS) for the non-towered airport, with no indication on the recording that the runway was closed. Shortly after touchdown, as the airplane began its roll out, the landing gear entered an area of 12-inch-deep snow and the airplane nosed over. After exiting the airplane, the pilot spoke to the airport manager who informed him that due to a power outage in the area, he had not been able to update the AWOS recording informing pilots of the runway closure due to snow. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and to both wings. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the airplane prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA148