Departure and En Route
The pilot departed without a weather briefing. During the flight, he contacted flight service for an en route briefing. Due to stronger-than-planned headwinds and deviations around snow showers, the aircraft arrived at its destination with insufficient fuel to fly to an alternate airport. The pilot believed that the deteriorating weather precluded further flight.
Landing Attempt
Upon arrival, the pilot was unable to activate the runway lights using either the aircraft radio or a handheld backup radio. The FAA reported that the aircraft radio had a loose connection, and the handheld radio lacked sufficient power to activate the runway lights.
Collision
The pilot aligned the aircraft with two sets of obstruction lights, which he thought were the approach and departure ends of runway 22. However, the far set of lights was at an obstruction located to the left of the departure end of runway 22. After touchdown at an angle to the runway, the aircraft struck a snowbank. It then rolled onto the right wing and came to rest on its nose.