Aircraft veers off runway during medical flight due to heavy slush

Casualties unknown • Sault Ste Marie, MI, US

An aircraft operating an emergency medical flight veered off the runway and struck a snow bank during landing roll at a non-Part 139 airport.

What happened

During an emergency medical flight, a Cessna (type not specified) experienced a runway excursion while landing at a non 14 CFR Part 139 airport. The aircraft was performing a nonprecision approach under night instrument meteorological conditions. Approximately two miles from the runway, the pilot observed that the asphalt surface of runway 32, which measures 5,230 feet by 100 feet, was completely covered in snow and slush.

Upon touchdown, the aircraft decelerated through deep slush. After a rollout of 1,200 feet, the airplane veered to the left, exiting the edge of the runway and impacting a snow bank. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, and there were no injuries reported.

Prior to the flight, the pilot had obtained a weather briefing from a flight service station; however, no NOTAMs were issued regarding the condition of the destination airport. While the pilot expected the runway to be clear following recent rain, the airport manager noted that periods of wet snow and rain the previous day and evening had left the runway covered in wet, slushy snow. The airport weather observation confirmed light snow had occurred within the 24 hours preceding the accident.

Probable cause

The runway was covered in heavy slush and snow due to recent precipitation, and the lack of a NOTAM regarding these conditions contributed to the pilot's unexpected encounter with the hazardous surface.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-01-05 Beech A100 accident near Sault Ste Marie, MI?

An aircraft operating an emergency medical flight veered off the runway and struck a snow bank during landing roll at a non-Part 139 airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-01-05 involved a Beech A100, registration N700NC, operated by North Country Aviation, Inc, at Sault Ste Marie, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The runway was covered in heavy slush and snow due to recent precipitation, and the lack of a NOTAM regarding these conditions contributed to the pilot's unexpected encounter with the hazardous surface.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060629X00847. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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