Event GAA19CA132

Factual narrative

The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, while landing off-airport on a snow-covered field, he side loaded the landing gear on the left side against a large "tussock" hidden by the snow. The left landing gear folded under the airplane, causing the left wingtip to drop into the snow and impact a snow-covered tussock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, while landing off-airport on a snow-covered field, he side-loaded the landing gear on the left side against a large "tussock" hidden by the snow. The left landing gear folded under the airplane, which caused the left wingtip to drop into the snow and impact a snow-covered tussock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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 Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Decision related to condition - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on equipment
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-(general)-Contributed to outcome