On December 28, 1989, a Cessna 340 (registration N69556) was involved in an aviation accident near Merrill, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY DURING HIS LANDING ROLL AND AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH ICING CONDITIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane collided with a snowbank during landing after ice accumulation on the windshield eliminated forward visibility. The aircraft touched down left of centerline, drifted left, and the left main and nose landing gear failed.
Incident Overview
During an attempted landing, the accident airplane collided with a snowbank. According to the pilot, he encountered freezing rain after breaking out of the clouds at approximately 1000 feet AGL during his instrument approach to the airport. He stated that ice accumulated on the windshield faster than the deicers could remove it, forcing him to make his approach to the runway with no forward visibility.
Sequence of Events
The airplane touched down to the left of the centerline on the 75-foot wide runway. It then drifted left until the left main landing gear collided with a snowbank on the edge of the runway. The left main landing gear and the nose landing gear subsequently failed, and the airplane slid to a stop.
What happened in the 28 Dec 1989 Cessna 340 accident near Merrill, WI?
An airplane collided with a snowbank during landing after ice accumulation on the windshield eliminated forward visibility. The aircraft touched down left of centerline, drifted left, and the left main and nose landing gear failed.
Were there any fatalities in the 28 Dec 1989 Cessna 340 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Dec 1989 involved a Cessna 340, registration N69556, at Merrill, WI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY DURING HIS LANDING ROLL AND AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH ICING CONDITIONS.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…