Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain/runway for landing. Factors related to the accident were: the unfavorable wind, icy runway condition, and snowbank at the end of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that local winds were from 030 degrees at 10 knots, so he elected to land on runway 9. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered an icy runway condition and went sideways. The pilot reported that by the time he got the airplane straightened out, there was not enough runway remaining to go around. The airplane then traveled off the end of the runway, hit a snowbank, and nosed over. About 9 miles east, the wind was reported to be from 330 degrees at 15 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 20, 1995, at 1300 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N84603, operated by the Buena Vista Flying Club of Richland Center, Wisconsin, and flown by a Certified Flight Instructor, nosed over following an overrun landing. The landing was made on runway 09 (2,129' x 40') at the Blackhawk Airport, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Richland Center, Wisconsin, under VFR conditions without a flight plan at 1230 central standard time. The pilot stated that while en route he requested the weather conditions from the Madison Air Traffic Control Approach Control. He stated he also requested an airport advisory from Unicom but received no response and that the windsock was indicating a wind from 030 degrees. He elected to land on runway 09. As the airplane was slowing, according to the pilot, it contacted a patch of ice and slide sideways. The airplane straightened out and slid off the end of the runway where it contacted a snowbank and nosed over. The airplane came to rest on a road near the end of the runway. Winds reported at the Dane County Regional Airport, 9 miles from the accident site, were 330 degrees at 15 knots. -