NTSB Factual Report

On January 3, 2002, at 1600 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 11AC, N302AC, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during touchdown on runway 18 (1,800 feet by 300 feet, snow) at a private airstrip called Krieger's Farm Strip located near Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from Krieger's Farm Strip at 1430.

The pilot reported that the ski equipped airplane flipped over when its right ski dug into the dirt upon touchdown on the 8-inch soft snow covered runway. He added that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by "[being] more cautious when on skis and earth is not frozen and snow is not hard because of warm temperatures."

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper planning/decision in runway selection. The soft runway condition and wet snow were contributing factors.