Accident Details
On February 17, 2008, at 1400 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, registration N5481T, veered off the runway and struck a snow bank at Kalispell City Airport, Kalispell, Montana. The private pilot was operating the airplane under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and the single passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight Background
The flight originated from Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, at approximately 1345. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Pilot Account
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, during the landing at Kalispell City Airport, the pilot flared high and experienced a bounce. The airplane's initial touchdown was 10–12 feet to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied power to initiate a go-around. At that point, the airplane's right main wheel was approximately 1 foot to the right of the runway edge, and the right wing struck a pile of ice and snow.