Incident Details
Ozark Flight 814 momentarily contacted the ground with its left main landing gear 16 feet to the left of Runway 31 while conducting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to that runway. According to the captain, when the aircraft was 50 feet above the approach minimums, the first officer called out that the runway was in sight. The captain then requested the landing lights, which the first officer turned on. The captain reported that the brightness made it difficult to see, stating, "At this point I noticed it was so bright, it was difficult to see. Either the weather had deteriorated or the lights reduced the visibility to the point that I decided a go around was necessary." The crew subsequently initiated a go-around and the flight diverted to St. Louis, Missouri.
Ground Contact Evidence
After the incident, a track was discovered in the snow measuring 4 feet wide and 100 feet long, located 16 feet off the left side of Runway 31. This track corresponded to the area where the left main landing gear had momentarily touched down.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were reported to be down to approach minimums.