LAX97LA077

Factual narrative

On December 25, 1996, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140, N76857, nosed over during landing on a closed, snow covered runway at the Blue Canyon Airport, Emigrant Gap, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Angwin, California, on the day of the accident at 0930 as a cross-country personal flight to Emigrant Gap. The pilot stated that he was making a low pass over the runway to determine if a precautionary landing could be made due to "unusual engine roughness." During the low pass the airplane unexpectedly settled on the snow covered runway. He stated that this was due to the "featureless condition of the snow covered runway and a gradual rise in ground elevation [which] caused a decreased depth perception." The pilot reported that the snow covered condition of the runway resulted in a rapid deceleration of the aircraft's speed, the aircraft landing, and nosing over once it came to a stop. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Reno, Nevada, Flight Standards District Office traveled to the site. He reported that there was approximately 1 foot of snow on the runway, and that the aircraft traveled about 30 yards after it touched down midfield. The inspector also reported that no discrepancies were identified with the engine or airframe. The pilot stated that he was making a low pass over the closed, snow covered runway to determine if a precautionary landing could be made due to 'unusual engine roughness.' During the low pass the airplane unexpectedly settled on the snow covered runway. He stated that this was due to the 'featureless condition of the snow covered runway and a gradual rise in ground elevation [which] caused a decreased depth perception.' The pilot reported that the snow covered condition of the runway resulted in a rapid deceleration of the aircraft's speed, the aircraft landing, and nosing over once it came to a stop. An FAA inspector reported that there was approximately 1 foot of snow on the runway, and that the aircraft traveled about 30 yards after it touched down midfield. The inspector also reported that no discrepancies were identified with the engine or airframe. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12