Accident Overview
A training airplane experienced a landing accident after undershooting the runway and contacting a snow bank. The aircraft touched down in snow approximately 10 feet before the approach end of the runway and subsequently struck a snow bank located between the runway end lights and the runway surface. The impact caused the nose and right main landing gear to collapse, and the airplane slid about 200 feet down the runway before coming to rest.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor (CFI), the airplane was getting low during the landing approach. The student pilot then added power to correct the descent. However, on short final, the student reduced the power to idle, causing the airplane to sink. The CFI reported that he believed they would reach the runway and was unable to react quickly enough once he realized they would not make it. The airplane subsequently touched down short of the runway, leading to the collision with the snow bank.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained damage as the nose and right main landing gear collapsed during the impact with the snow bank. The aircraft then slid along the runway for approximately 200 feet.