Accident Details
The airplane nosed over after contacting a snow bank during landing. The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a newly installed taxiway, which he mistook for the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted an icy section on the taxiway and slid to the left. The pilot added a little power in an attempt to regain directional control, but the airplane contacted a snow bank and nosed over.
Airport Information
Runway 32 is 4,003 feet long and 75 feet wide. The newly installed taxiway is 4,000 feet long and 35 feet wide, and it parallels Runway 32. The new taxiway was not depicted in the Flight Guide, the 1999-2000 Wisconsin Airport Directory, the updated Garmin 530, or the Official Airport Directory at the time of the accident.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported, "Main runway was totally snow covered and looked from air like groomed snow strip for ski planes."
Airport Manager Statement
According to the airport manager, the taxiway was opened on November 21, 2000. He stated that the pavement on the new taxiway is darker than the runway, and the ice and snow melted off of it quicker. He also stated that a NOTAM issued through October 2000 reported the taxiway was closed. Once it was opened, another NOTAM was issued for approximately a two-week period stating that the taxiway was commissioned. The airport manager further stated that a NOTAM at the time of the accident indicated there was snow and ice on the aprons and taxiways.