On February 5, 2005, a Cessna 152 (registration N4649M) was involved in an aviation accident near Kelleys Island, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Contact with a snowbank off the left side of the runway during landing, which caused the aircraft to veer into the snow and flip over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing, an aircraft's left gear struck a snowbank off the runway, causing it to veer into deep snow and flip over. An FAA inspection found no mechanical issues with the airplane.
What happened
The accident occurred while the aircraft was in the process of landing. As the plane touched down or was shortly after touchdown, the left main landing gear made contact with a snowbank located off the left side of the runway. This impact caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left, directing it into the deep snow adjacent to the paved surface. The force of the maneuver resulted in the airplane flipping over onto its side or roof.
The investigation
Following the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a thorough examination of the damaged aircraft. The purpose of this inspection was to determine if any pre-existing mechanical problems contributed to the loss of control. The inspector found no evidence of mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions in the airplane's systems prior to the impact.
Probable cause
Contact with a snowbank off the left side of the runway during landing, which caused the aircraft to veer into the snow and flip over.