Event Overview
A student pilot reported an incident during the landing flare/touchdown. According to the pilot's statement, a gust of wind raised the airplane's left wing, causing the right landing gear to contact the ground. The airplane then began to pivot to the right. In response, the pilot applied full aileron and left rudder to return the airplane to the runway's centerline. However, the airplane veered to the left and struck a snow bank located along the left side of the runway.
Damage
The right wing sustained substantial damage as a result of the collision with the snow bank.
Wind Conditions
The pilot reported that the wind was from a magnetic heading of 330 degrees at a velocity of 15 knots.
Pilot Recommendations
In the recommendations section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form, the pilot noted that the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at the airport had been inoperative since at least May 1993. The pilot stated that wind speed and direction are two of the most important items needed by pilots, and that no radio frequency was available for in-flight access to the system.