Accident Description
During the approach to land, the aircraft collided with snow located to the side and short of the runway. The impact damaged runway end identifier lights (REIL). After striking the lights, the aircraft came to a stop 760 feet before the approach end of the runway. The pilot stated that the aircraft was blown off its intended flight path and that his vision was obscured by blowing snow.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions included scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and an estimated overcast layer at 4,000 feet. Visibility was 6 miles in light snow showers. The wind was from 310 degrees at 15 knots. Approximately 30 minutes later, the weather had deteriorated: an indefinite ceiling of 100 feet obscured, visibility 2 miles in blowing snow and fog, with wind from 330 degrees at 15 knots.