Cessna 120 N73034

Summary

On 21 February 2004 at about 22:55 local time, a Cessna 120 registered N73034 was involved in an accident near Merrill, Wisconsin, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 February 2004 at 22:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Merrill, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Merrill Muni (RRL)

Coordinates

45.1992, -89.7164

Aircraft

Cessna 120

Registration

N73034

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Merrill → Merrill

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI04LA075

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Factors were the reported flat light conditions and the uneven terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The ski-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted uneven terrain and subsequently nosed over during its landing on a frozen river. The pilot reported that he "had determined incorrectly that this was a very good place to land." The pilot stated that the snow was fresh, smooth, evenly colored, and not tracked up by vehicle traffic. The pilot reported that upon landing, the right ski fell into a snowmobile path that was approximately 18 inches deep. The airplane immediately nosed over. The pilot reported that there was 'flat' light conditions at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.