THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BECAME INVOLVED IN A DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITION WHILE MANEUVERING IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, BUT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS (SNOWSHOWERS) BECAME WORSE. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A HAY FIELD SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR IFR FLIGHT. WHILE LANDING ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..HIGH TERRAIN

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..SNOW

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..SNOW COVERED

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