Incident Summary
The airplane sustained a hard landing that caused the left main landing gear to collapse, followed by contact with a snow bank.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that two preflight weather briefings were obtained and that the decision to operate under visual flight rules was made due to reports of icing conditions in clouds. During cruise, freezing rain was encountered, prompting a request for and receipt of an instrument flight rules clearance, after which the aircraft climbed above the clouds. The pilot reported using a VOR approach and experiencing no icing during the approach. When flaps were lowered, the aircraft began a rapid descent, subsequently impacting the runway and collapsing the left main landing gear.
Witness Report
A witness reported that the aircraft had ice accumulation measuring 1/2 to 3/4 inch on the leading edges of the tail and wings.
Weather Conditions
The weather observation facility located 18 miles to the southeast reported conditions around the time of the accident as: wind from 200 degrees magnetic at 8 knots; visibility 2 statute miles with freezing drizzle; overcast ceiling at 500 feet above ground level; temperature -3 degrees Celsius; dew point -4 degrees Celsius; barometric pressure 29.98 inches of mercury.