Event GAA17CA134

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while on the flight back to his home airport, he decided to land on a snow-covered airstrip. The pilot further reported that he flew over the landing area three times before deciding on the fourth pass to attempt a full stop landing. During the touchdown of the 3-point landing, he realized the snow was deeper than he had expected and the airplane decelerated rapidly. The pilot reported that he increased power, but the airplane continued to sink in the snow. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and slid to a stop inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tundra tire- and tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on the flight back to his home airport, he decided to land on a snow-covered airstrip. He flew over the landing area three times before deciding on the fourth pass to attempt a full-stop landing. During the touchdown of the three-point landing, he realized the snow was deeper than he had expected, and the airplane decelerated rapidly. The pilot increased power, but the airplane continued to sink in the snow. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and slid to a stop inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Wheel/ski/float-Capability exceeded - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Decision related to condition - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Ability to respond/compensate