On February 18, 2000, a Cessna 310R (registration N87341) was involved in an aviation accident near Sandusky, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land on a runway that was covered with ice and snow, without obtaining current wind information. Factors were the 20-knot tailwind and the snow-covered runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot, advised that runway 27 was being plowed, executed an IFR approach but was too high. After circling to lose altitude, he landed with a 20-knot tailwind 500 feet from the approach end, and the airplane departed the runway into a snow bank.
Incident Details
A pilot conducted an instrument flight rules (IFR) approach to a 3,599-foot runway designated 27. The pilot had not checked local winds prior to the approach but was advised by snow removal personnel that the runway was being plowed. After entering visual meteorological conditions, the pilot reported good visibility but found the airplane too high on the approach. To lose altitude, the pilot circled to the south and then maneuvered to land on runway 27.
Aware of the ice and snow covering the runway, the pilot elected to continue the landing. The airplane touched down approximately 500 feet from the approach end of the runway. At the time of touchdown, the airplane experienced a tailwind of about 20 knots.
The airplane was unable to stop on the remaining runway surface. It departed the runway and subsequently impacted a snow bank. The investigation did not specify injuries, damage, or the aircraft type or registration.