Incident Overview
A student pilot and flight instructor were performing a night landing on a runway that measured 150 feet in width. Of that width, 95 feet had been plowed free of snow. The runway lights were illuminated but were positioned outside the snow-covered portion of the runway. The student pilot aligned the aircraft with the snow-covered section during the approach.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft had departed from the same airport earlier that day. During the landing approach, the flight instructor cautioned the student about the misalignment but did not take corrective action. The airplane subsequently collided with a snowbank, causing the landing gear to shear off and the fuselage to buckle.
Aircraft Damage
The impact with the snowbank resulted in the shearing of the landing gear and buckling of the fuselage. No other damage was reported in the source.
Contributing Factors
The source notes that the instructor was aware of the misalignment and issued a caution but did not assume control of the aircraft or take other corrective measures. The placement of runway lights outside the plowed area may have contributed to the student's alignment with the snowy section.