NTSB Factual Report

On December 31, 2000, at 0850 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150M, N63276, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a nose-over during landing roll subsequent to landing short of runway 28 (3,498 feet by 75 feet, snow covered/asphalt) at the Padgham Field Airport, Allegan, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed a private airstrip near Paw Paw, Michigan, at 0840.

According to the pilot's written statement, he was practicing a short-field landing to runway 28 at the time of the accident. The pilot stated, "Approximately 300 feet out [from the approach end of runway 28] I experienced a loss of power, and the plane dropped. Low altitude at the time of the accident allowed for little reaction time. I did, however, pull back on the yoke to keep the nose up. The plane touched down in deep snow, mains first, and stopped immediately causing it to flip forward onto nose. It then skidded a short distance, then flipped on over to rest on its top."

Postaccident investigation of the aircraft, including its flight control systems, did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Postaccident investigation of the aircraft engine and its accessories did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded the normal operation of the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The proper glide path not maintained by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the deep snow.