What happened
The pilot of a Piper PA-28 was operating on Runway 25, which measures 5,800 feet in length and 75 feet in width. At the time of the incident, the runway surface itself was clear of snow. However, there were significant snow berms along the sides of the pavement, standing approximately four to five feet high.
During the landing roll-out, the pilot did not maintain adequate lateral clearance from the edge of the runway. As a result, the aircraft collided with one of these snow banks. The accident occurred under wind conditions from 250 degrees at 10 knots.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft and operations revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction that contributed to the event. No mechanical problems were reported prior to the incident, and none were found during the post-accident assessment.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's decision-making during the landing roll-out. The pilot failed to stay clear of the snow bank despite its visibility and proximity to the active runway surface. This lack of lateral control or awareness led directly to the collision with the berm.