Accident Cessna 175A Skylark N7023E, Sunday 22 March 2020

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Date:	Sunday 22 March 2020
Time:	12:20
Type:	Cessna 175A Skylark
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N7023E
MSN:	56523
Year of manufacture:	1960
Engine model:	Continental GO-300
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Soldotna Airport, AK (SXQ/PASX) - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Test
Departure airport:	Soldotna Airport, AK (SXQ/PASX)
Destination airport:	Soldotna, AK (SXQ)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, about 6 inches of fresh snow covered the runway's surface. He added that, during the approach to land, he lined up with what he thought was the appropriate runway, slowed the airplane, and applied flaps. Upon touchdown, the nosewheel "dug" into the snow, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he had unintentionally landed on the ski strip, which had accumulated about 2 ft of snow, and not the intended runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

Probable Cause: The pilot's unintentional selection of the wrong landing surface, which was covered with 2 ft of snow and resulted in a nose-over.

Accident investigation: