What happened
Following a precision instrument approach and landing on runway 29, the aircraft veered off the runway. The accident occurred at night under visual meteorological conditions. According to the pilot, the airport's automated weather observing system (AWOS) had reported calm winds; however, the pilot suspected this reading was inaccurate and cross-referenced reports from nearby AWOS stations, which indicated winds from the northwest at 8 to 11 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft moved quickly to the left, departing the side of the runway and into snow. This excursion resulted in the nose wheel landing gear being folded. The pilot was not injured during the event.
The investigation
An inspection of the airport's AWOS following the accident revealed that the system was covered with ice. This ice accumulation inhibited the proper operation of the wind speed and direction sensors. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration had no record of any Notices to Airmen being issued on the day of the accident regarding the status of the airport's AWOS.