What happened
The pilot reported that the flare was initiated too late during the landing phase, resulting in touchdown occurring too close to the left side of the runway. The runway width was noted as 50 feet. Upon contact with the surface, the aircraft veered to the left. The left main gear struck a snowbank situated alongside the pavement.
The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft out of the snowbank, but control was lost. The nose gear subsequently became embedded in the snow, causing the aircraft to nose over. The runway surface was described as slightly downhill and icy. A right crosswind component was present during the landing.
The investigation
No mechanical examination details were provided in the source text. The investigation relied on pilot statements regarding the flight dynamics and environmental conditions at the time of the incident.
Findings
Contributing factors to the accident included:
- Flaring too late during the landing approach
- Touchdown occurring too close to the left side of the 50-foot wide runway
- The aircraft veering left upon touchdown
- Striking a snowbank with the left main gear
- The nose gear becoming embedded in the snow, leading to a nose-over
- Icy runway surface conditions
- A slight downhill gradient on the runway
- Presence of a right crosswind component