Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a runway with icy patches, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, after an uneventful cross-country flight, the airplane landed smoothly on the runway and started to veer left. The pilot added right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer left. He aborted the landing by applying full engine power and continued to apply right rudder, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway, impacted a snowbank, and nosed over. The pilot reported that the runway was coated in icy patches. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight, the airplane landed smoothly onto the runway and started to veer left. The pilot added right rudder and despite his actions the airplane continued to veer left. He aborted the landing by applying full engine power, continued to apply the right rudder, but the airplane collided with a snowbank on the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that the runway was coated in icy patches. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.