On January 28, 2000, a Piper PA-32RT-300 (registration N42Y) operated by Corporate Air Fleet, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near W. Columbia, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The inadequate wording of the NOTAM for failure to identify that the usable width of the runway was reduced and the inadequate snow removal by airport personnel for failure to remove the snow from the runway resulting in the on-ground collision with a snow… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that after landing on runway 11 and exiting onto taxiway 'C', the left main landing gear struck an 18-inch-high ice berm. An FAA inspection confirmed the berm's presence.
Incident Overview
A NOTAM in effect at the time of the accident indicated that runway 11/29 had 18 inches of snowbanks and that all taxiway edge lights were obscured by snowbanks. The NOTAM did not indicate that the usable width of the runway was reduced.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, after landing on runway 11, while exiting the runway at high speed onto taxiway 'C', the left main landing gear collided with an approximately 18-inch-high berm of ice. He then taxied to the ramp and noted damage to the airplane.
FAA Inspection
An FAA inspector examined runway 11/29 and found an 18-inch-high, 3-foot-wide ice berm on either side of the runway. The inner edge of the ice berm was located approximately 6 to 8 feet inward from each runway edge. The ice berm had an opening for taxiway 'C'.
Aircraft Position
The nosewheel was determined to be approximately 3 feet to the left of the lead-off line from the runway onto the taxiway at the time of the accident.