Summary
On February 06, 2020, a Cessna 172 (N817PS) was involved in an incident near Palmer, AK. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
According to the pilot, while conducting a low altitude pass over a frozen, snow-covered lake in his wheel-equipped airplane, he misjudged the airplane's height above the ground. The airplane's landing gear contacted the snow and the airplane descended. Subsequently, the left wing and propeller struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright on the snow-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC20CA018. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N817PS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, while conducting a low altitude pass over a frozen, snow-covered lake in his wheel-equipped airplane, he misjudged the airplane's height above the ground. The airplane's landing gear contacted the snow and the airplane descended. Subsequently, the left wing and propeller struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright on the snow-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had done a better job of evaluating the flight scenario and had properly addressed the risks involved with low level flight over a snow covered landscape. In addition to, the visual illusions associated with those conditions.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC20CA018