Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in an advertent ground swerve. The snowbank was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
It was a dark night when the pilot touched down on runway 3. He stated that he touched down on the centerline, and he applied the brakes as the airplanes' speed decreased. A few seconds later he said that the airplane began to swerve, so he stopped all braking for a moment then he reapplied the brakes with more pressure in the right brake and rudder, as the left main gear was on a rough icy area off the left side of the runway. He stated that the airplane straightened out and was starting to veer towards the centerline; however, the left wing struck a snowbank on the left side, and the airplane spun to the left into a pile of snow collapsing the left main gear and subsequently the nose gear. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.
Source record
Factual narrative
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