What happened
While operating in cruise flight, the pilot of a ski-equipped airplane observed that the engine oil pressure gauge was indicating high, approaching the maximum limit. The pilot did not recall the specific reading for the engine oil temperature at that time.
As a precaution, the pilot decided to land on a straight, snow-covered rural road that was approximately 25 feet wide and free of obstacles. During the landing flare, the pilot reported that flat light conditions made it impossible to see a plowed snow berm located along the right edge of the roadway.
Approximately 5 feet above the ground, the right main landing gear ski collided with the snow berm. The impact caused the aircraft to spin 180 degrees, after which the airplane continued backward into a large snow bank. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the fuselage and the right wing. There were no injuries reported.
Findings
- High engine oil pressure was noted during cruise flight.
- Flat light conditions obscured the visibility of a snow berm on the edge of the landing site.