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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 26, 1998 · Cessna 120 · N120L

Omak, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Omak, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N120L
Operator
Marsh Travis V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA024

The 95 total hour (80 hours make/model) pilot-in-command reported that upon touchdown on runway 17 at the Omak airport the aircraft bounced slightly and then touched down left of the centerline and at a slight angle. The runway surface had a thin layer of snow covering its surface and the pilot was unsuccessful in regaining directional control using brakes and rudder. The aircraft then departed the runway approximately 45 degrees from the centerline and impacted a snowbank (berm) along the runway's east edge, subsequently nosing over. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical problem with the aircraft and winds were 4 knots from 070 degrees magnetic.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the snow covered runway and a snowbank (berm) at the runway's edge.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 1998, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 120, N120L, registered to Douglas Marsh and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft nosed over following a collision with a snowbank (berm) along the east edge of runway 17 during a loss of control on landing, at the Omak airport, Omak, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Omak airport approximately 1415. The pilot, who had 95 hours of flight experience (total time), of which 80 were in the Cessna 120, reported that he was performing touch and go landings on runway 17. He further reported that "on final I set up for a 3-point landing and made a normal landing flare. Upon touchdown the aircraft made a slight bounce and then touched down with a very slight angle to the left of centerline. I believe the left wheel landed on a dry patch and the right on snow, which compounded the problem, and I was then departing the runway at a 45-degree angle to the left. I tried to correct with rudder and brakes but with the snow there was minimal response. Upon contacting the snow berm (approx. 24" high) at the runways [sic] edge, it flipped the aircraft over on its back just off of the runway." (Refer to Photograph 1 and DIAGRAM I). The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. Winds at Omak airport at 1456 hours were recorded as coming from 070 degrees magnetic at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest AirportOMAK (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length4654 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN120L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMarsh Travis V
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data