The pilot reported that, during a touch and go landing on a frozen lake near Aberdeen, South Dakota, the Porterfield CP 65 struck a “drift of deep snow” and came to rest inverted.
He added that he did not see the snow drift before landing.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
This February 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
