Accident Overview
An airplane operated as an emergency medical flight sustained substantial damage when it departed the edge of runway 32 during the landing roll. The runway, 5,235 feet long and 100 feet wide, was covered with asphalt, slush, and snow. After touching down, the airplane decelerated in deep slush and veered to the left following a rollout of approximately 1,200 feet, subsequently impacting a snow bank. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Weather and Runway Conditions
The airport manager reported that the runway was covered with wet, slushy snow due to periods of wet snow and rain that occurred late the previous day and into the evening of the accident. The airport's weather observation recorded light snow within a roughly 24-hour period before the accident. The pilot stated that during a nonprecision approach about two miles from the runway, he observed the runway to be completely covered in snow and slush.
Pilot Statement
Prior to accepting the emergency medical flight, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from a flight service station. During that briefing, no notices to airmen (NOTAMs) pertained to the destination airport. The pilot reported that he knew the airport was receiving rain and expected the runway to be clear; he was surprised to find it covered with heavy slush. The pilot "wondered" why no NOTAM was issued concerning the runway condition.
Airport Management and NOTAMs
The Airport Facility Directory and the FAA's website list 14 CFR Part 139 airports, which are inherently required to issue NOTAMs. However, Advisory Circular 150/5200-28C states that the management of a public use airport is expected to make known, as soon as practical, any condition on or in the vicinity of an airport that will prevent, restrict, or present a hazard during arrival or departure of aircraft. Airport management is responsible for observing and reporting the condition of airport movement areas, typically through the NOTAM system. The Aeronautical Information Manual notes that NOTAM information could affect a pilot's decision to make a flight, including changes in status of navigational aids, ILS, radar service availability, and other essential information. No NOTAM was issued for the runway condition at the time of the accident.