On February 25, 2003, a Cessna 150J (registration N51126) was involved in an aviation accident near Williamson, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll. A factor was the snow-covered runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a takeoff on a runway with 3 inches of snow, the pilot could not see the centerline and the left main landing gear caught a snow bank, causing the airplane to veer left off the runway.
Incident Narrative
During the takeoff phase, the pilot taxied the airplane onto a runway covered with a 3-inch layer of snow. The snow obscured the runway centerline, making it invisible to the pilot. The pilot then applied full power for the takeoff. As the airplane accelerated during the takeoff roll, the left main landing gear struck the edge of a snow bank. This contact caused the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway, departing the paved surface.
Pilot Actions and Statements
The pilot reported that he was unaware that the airplane was positioned left of the runway centerline during the takeoff roll. He further stated that no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions were present with the airplane. No issues with the airplane's systems or controls were reported.
Runway Conditions
The runway was covered with 3 inches of snow. This snow cover prevented the pilot from seeing the centerline markings. The snow bank that the left main landing gear encountered was located at the left edge of the runway. The pilot could not see the centerline due to the snow, which was the sole reported environmental factor.