Aircraft excursion into snowbank during night landing

Casualties unknown • Hudson, NY, US

An aircraft veered off the runway and struck a snowbank during a night landing, resulting in structural damage to the landing gear.

What happened

During a night landing on Runway 3, the pilot touched down on the centerline. As the aircraft's speed decreased, the pilot applied the brakes. Shortly after, the aircraft began to swerve. The pilot momentarily ceased all braking and then reapplied pressure using the right brake and rudder because the left main gear had encountered a rough, icy area located off the left side of the runway.

While the aircraft appeared to straighten and begin moving back toward the centerline, the left wing subsequently struck a snowbank on the left side of the runway. This impact caused the aircraft to spin to the left into a pile of snow. The force of the excursion resulted in the collapse of the left main gear and the subsequent collapse of the nose gear. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions involved in the event.

Probable cause

The aircraft swerved due to the left main gear encountering a rough and icy area off the runway, leading to a wing strike on a snowbank and subsequent gear collapse.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-02-20 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Hudson, NY?

An aircraft veered off the runway and struck a snowbank during a night landing, resulting in structural damage to the landing gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-02-20 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N999HF, operated by Stanley Rothman, at Hudson, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft swerved due to the left main gear encountering a rough and icy area off the runway, leading to a wing strike on a snowbank and subsequent gear collapse.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11790. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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