Casualties unknown

Night Landing on Grass Runway Ends with Snowbank Impact (N3045Z)

Tunkhannock, PA, US

On February 22, 1987, a Piper PA-22 (registration N3045Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Tunkhannock, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landing on a grass runway at night struck a snowbank across an access road from the threshold, damaging the nose gear, propeller, lower forward fuselage, and left wing tip.

Incident Overview

A pilot was conducting a landing on a grass runway. The approach end of the runway was bordered by an access road. Across this road from the runway threshold, a pile of snow was present. This snow had been previously plowed from the runway surface. The landing occurred during nighttime conditions.

Pilot Account

Regarding the night landing, the pilot stated, "Coming in on final, I noticed a slight ground fog, but when I saw runway, thought I had bank cleared." The pilot's statement indicates that ground fog was observed during the final approach, and the pilot believed sufficient clearance from the snowbank had been achieved upon sighting the runway.

Impact and Damage

However, before reaching the runway, the aircraft struck the snowbank. As a result of the collision, the nose gear, the propeller, the lower forward portion of the aircraft, and the left wing tip sustained damage.

No other information was provided in the source regarding the aircraft type, registration, number of engines, date, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or other circumstances.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X30328. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.