On March 23, 1993, a Cessna 177RG (registration N7747V) operated by Robert E Dunn was involved in an aviation accident near Corry, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES DUE TO THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BEING OBSCURED BY THE PLOWED SNOW, AND FAILURE OF AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO ISSUE A… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing takeoffs and landings from the right seat during a dark night struck a snowbank with the right wing during the landing roll, causing the right main gear to collapse. The runway was plowed to 70 feet width with snowbanks 4-5 feet high.
Accident Details
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings from the right seat while working toward a flight instructor certificate. The pilot reported that it was a dark night and that he made a normal approach and touchdown on the runway centerline. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a snowbank located off the right side of the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot had accumulated 1 hour of dual instruction from the right seat at the time of the event.
Runway Conditions
The runway had been plowed to a width of 70 feet out of its total 75-foot width. The plowed snow was approximately 4 to 5 feet high and was placed between the edges of the runway surface and the row of runway lights. The runway surface was generally bare.