Accident Summary
A private pilot executing a precautionary landing at a private airport lost control after touchdown when the airplane slid on an icy runway surface, colliding with a snow berm.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he conducted a precautionary landing on a 4,500-foot gravel runway oriented north/south. During an overflight, he observed another airplane parked at the north end of the runway. He subsequently decided to land toward the south, beyond the parked aircraft. The pilot noted that a tailwind was blowing from the north at about 6 knots. He was familiar with the airport and aware that the runway sloped slightly uphill to the south. The pilot indicated he did not anticipate a problem with the downwind landing. He touched down just beyond the halfway point of the runway and allowed the airplane to coast. As the airplane neared the south end, he applied the brakes. At that point, the pilot realized the runway surface was glazed with ice, and the airplane began to slide sideways. The left main landing gear struck a snow berm at the south end of the runway, and the left wing subsequently struck the snow.
Pilot's Comments on Prevention
In the pilot's opinion, the accident could have been prevented by attempting to use the brakes immediately after touchdown to assess the surface conditions.