Accident Overview
A pilot landed on a closed airstrip that was marked as closed but covered with snow in the landing area. The pilot had made arrangements to meet his wife at the airstrip. During the landing, the pilot observed a pedestrian along the side of the strip who waved; he believed the pedestrian was his wife.
Pilot's Account
After landing, the airplane decelerated quickly on the snow-covered runway. The pilot applied power to continue taxiing in the snow, but the aircraft moved slowly. The pilot was taxiing the tailwheel-equipped airplane without S-turning and was looking out the door on the right side. He reported catching a glimpse of something to his left, and at that moment, the left strut of the airplane struck the pedestrian, a woman who was walking her dog on the airstrip. The pedestrian was struck in the back of the head and was seriously injured.
Pre-Flight Actions
The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing before the flight and did not have a current sectional chart.