On January 4, 1996, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N111UC) was involved in an aviation accident near Zionsville, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Touchdown left of centerline and subsequent contact with snowdrifts beyond the cleared runway surface during an instrument approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft touched down left of centerline during an instrument landing system approach, striking deep snowdrifts beyond the cleared runway surface despite visual contact.
What happened
The pilot reported maintaining visual contact with the runway environment while conducting an instrument landing system approach to runway 36. The runway dimensions were recorded as 5,500 feet in length by 100 feet in width. Upon reaching two miles from the threshold, the pilot established sight of the runway surface.
The aircraft touched down 42 feet to the left of the centerline and eight feet beyond the right edge of the paved surface. At this location, the airplane encountered snowdrifts that were 30 inches deep. A notice to airmen had been issued regarding the presence of snowbanks along the sides of the runway, which reduced the available cleared width to 75 feet between the obstructions.
The investigation
The factual narrative focused on the landing phase and the immediate environment of the runway. No mechanical analysis or post-accident examination details were provided in the source material.
Probable cause
Touchdown left of centerline and subsequent contact with snowdrifts beyond the cleared runway surface during an instrument approach.