Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain runway alignment during the landing roll. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, the pilot's lack of visual cues due to the runway lights being obscured by the plowed snow, and failure of airport personnel to issue a NOTAM.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that it was a dark night, and he was practicing takeoffs and landings from the right seat towards attaining his flight instructor certificate. He stated that he made a normal approach and touchdown on the centerline, but during the landing roll the right wing struck a snowbank off the right side of the runway and the right main gear collapsed. The pilot reportedly had 1 hour of dual from the right seat. The runway had been plowed 70 feet of the 75 foot width, with the runway surface generally bare. The plowed snow was approximately 4 to 5 feet high, and was placed between the edges of the runway and the row of runway lights.
Source record
Factual narrative
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