On 16 Nov 2014, a CESSNA 150L operated by Student Pilot was involved in an aviation accident near New Buffalo, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing. Contributing was the snow on the runway surface. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an instructional flight, the airplane veered off the runway after the left main landing gear wheel contacted snow, leading to impact with a snowbank and substantial damage to the right wing.
Incident Overview
During a landing on an instructional flight, the airplane veered off the runway. The aircraft was under the control of a student pilot accompanied by a flight instructor. As the landing progressed, the left main landing gear wheel made contact with snow that was present on the runway surface. This contact caused the airplane to deviate from the runway centerline and enter a snowbank located along the runway edge.
Sequence of Events
The airplane subsequently struck the ground with its right wing, resulting in substantial damage. The right wing impacted the ground during the veer-off event. The flight instructor later confirmed that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.
Aircraft Damage
The right wing sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact with the ground. The left main landing gear wheel's contact with snow initiated the sequence that led to the departure from the runway.
Contributing factors
Causes
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot