Aircraft impacts snow bank during landing roll

Casualties unknown • Charlevoix, MI, US

An aircraft veered off runway 27 and slid into a snow bank following a loss of control caused by wind gusts and runway ice.

What happened

During the landing roll on runway 27, the pilot experienced a loss of control that resulted in the aircraft impacting a snow bank. The pilot reported that the airplane initially veered to the right side of the runway due to excessive right aileron input. After neutralizing the ailerons and attempting to steer using the rudder, a combination of a crosswind and a gust of wind lifted the right wing.

This caused the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway, where it encountered ice on the surface. The airplane subsequently slid into a snow bank located alongside the runway. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported winds from 330 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. A weather observation recorded six minutes after the event noted winds from 320 degrees at 9 knots.

The investigation

An inspection of the runway surface revealed that while the center of the runway remained clear, there were patches of ice present along the left side of the runway. Additionally, the snow accumulation along the runway edges was deep enough that only the tops of the runway lights could be seen.

Probable cause

The loss of control during the landing roll was caused by a wind gust and crosswind lifting the right wing, combined with the presence of ice on the left side of the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-02-02 Piper PA-34-220T accident near Charlevoix, MI?

An aircraft veered off runway 27 and slid into a snow bank following a loss of control caused by wind gusts and runway ice.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-02-02 involved a Piper PA-34-220T, registration N4123K, at Charlevoix, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of control during the landing roll was caused by a wind gust and crosswind lifting the right wing, combined with the presence of ice on the left side of the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010206X00397. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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