Summary
On March 10, 2014, a American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC (N63HE) was involved in an accident near Chisago City, MN. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The unsuitable landing area encountered by the pilot due to wet soft snow conditions that resulted in a nose over.
The pilot had flown his airplane for about 1/2 hour when he decided to land on a snow-covered lake that he had previously landed on numerous times during this winter. The pilot said the landing felt normal and he maintained the flare as the airplane skis started to touch down. After touchdown, the airplane continued to ski for 40 feet until it nosed over. He exited the plane, walked the tracks of the skis, and did not find any objects that could have caused the accident. The pilot said that the temperature was about 40 degrees F. He indicated that the snow was sticky and that the skis traveled over a soft spot before the nose over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the landing.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN14CA158. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N63HE.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The unsuitable landing area encountered by the pilot due to wet soft snow conditions that resulted in a nose over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot had flown his airplane for about 1/2 hour when he decided to land on a snow-covered lake that he had previously landed on numerous times during this winter. The pilot said the landing felt normal and he maintained the flare as the airplane skis started to touch down. After touchdown, the airplane continued to ski for 40 feet until it nosed over. He exited the plane, walked the tracks of the skis, and did not find any objects that could have caused the accident. The pilot said that the temperature was about 40 degrees F. He indicated that the snow was sticky and that the skis traveled over a soft spot before the nose over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the landing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA158