The Maule MX-7-235 pilot reported that the flight was to his privately-owned airstrip near Chickala, Arkansas, which was covered with approximately six inches of “very wet and dense” snow.
During landing rollout, the airplane’s deceleration was typical but then decelerated faster than the pilot “could imagine.”
The airplane tail rose very quickly, and the airplane then nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
He also reported that the accident could have been prevented by using a snow depth limit of four inches if its liquid water content is unknown, and if landing in similar conditions, to land with a little power to keep the tail down.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to land on the snow-covered runway and his failure to attain/maintain aircraft control during landing rollout.
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This January 2023 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.
One technique I’ve used when contemplating a potentially soft spot (sand or snow) is to increase throttle after initial touch down (with stick full back) and then slowly reduce throttle as you decelerate, to keep the tail down. Landed it in 6” snow with a Luscombe with 800s, and could barely taxi with full power afterwards! Didn’t have a choice of another airport at the time.
If he knew he was flying into snow covered strip why not have tundra tires?
Wet snow will build up in front of a tire and eventually so thick and heavy that this is bound to be the result. Expensive lesson.