Incident Overview
An ATP-rated pilot was initiating a scheduled Part 135 cargo operation from Runway 19, a 5,000-foot by 50-foot asphalt runway. The runway was covered by approximately one inch of snow, and a snow shower was in progress at the time. The pilot reported that he did not remove snow from the aircraft prior to the takeoff attempt because it did not appear to need removal.
Airport and Weather Conditions
The airport was neither approved nor equipped for instrument operations, as required by the FAA-approved company operations specifications. The pilot stated that visibility was 2 to 3 miles, with calm winds, and that he could not estimate a ceiling through the falling snow. However, three FAA inspectors located 3 miles from the airport reported that visibility was less than 2 miles and the ceiling was indefinite at less than 1,000 feet. An IFR flight plan had been filed for the flight.
Takeoff and Sequence of Events
During the liftoff phase, the right main landing gear entered deep snow on the right edge of the runway. The aircraft settled back to the ground and pivoted 270 degrees to the right. As the aircraft came to a stop, the nose landing gear and left main landing gear collapsed.