LAX94LA107

The pilot was landing on a runway covered by a thin layer of snow. On touchdown the airplane veered to the left. After the airplane departed the runway the pilot applied full power to go-around. The airplane became airborne, but would not climb as the pilot failed to retract the flaps. The airplane continued to the left until it struck a fuel island. A passenger reported that the engine sounded normal similar to the sound that it made when the flight departed.

On January 28, 1994, at 0836 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-301, N82009, lost control and collided with a fuel island while landing on runway 28 at Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Truckee, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and five passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at San Jose Airport, San Jose, California, at 0720 hours.

Mr. Reid Walburg, Principal Operations Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration, Reno [Nevada] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation. Inspector Walburg said the runway was covered with a minute layer of "dry snow." The pilot landed about 1,000 feet beyond the threshold at a slow airspeed.

The pilot told Inspector Walburg that during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot momentarily arrested the left turn, but the airplane again turned left and the pilot applied full power to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot was unable to align the airplane with the runway and it continued going to the left. The airplane crossed two taxiways, a culvert, and then collided with the fuel island.

Photographs taken by Inspector Walburg show that the left flap was fully extended.

The pilot submitted the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, to the NTSB, Southwest Regional Office. The pilot indicated in the report that while descending he observed part of the runway had a black area that was sufficient for landing; the remaining runway was white [covered with snow].

The pilot landed on the center of the black portion of the runway at a slow airspeed and the airplane's flaps were fully extended. When the airplane entered the snow covered section of the runway, it began to drift to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, but without success; the airplane continued to the left.

As the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, the pilot applied full throttle and the airplane began to accelerate. The airplane continued going to the left. As the pilot began to raise the airplane's nose up, the landing gear wheels entered the rough terrain after striking a runway edge light. The airplane became airborne, but did not gain much altitude. The flaps were still fully extended, and the airplane almost struck a taxiway sign.

The pilot raised the flaps one notch, but without success; the airplane still did not begin to climb. The pilot did not have time to react when he saw the airplane approaching the fuel island. The airplane struck the fuel island, spun around, and stopped.

The right front seat passenger (See Passenger Seating Table herein this report) said in a written statement that there was a "...light dusting of snow on the runway..." which obscured the runway centerline. However, he said that there were two black marks near the approach end of the runway made from previous landings of other airplanes.

The pilot lined up the airplane to the left of, but parallel to, the runway centerline. After touch down, the airplane veered to the left and the pilot applied the flight controls, but with minimal effect. The pilot applied full throttle and the engine responded which sounded like the initial takeoff from San Jose. The pilot did not change the flap settings.

The airplane became airborne and struck a "...yellow runway marker...." The airplane then collided with the fuel island poles.

The remaining passengers did not notice anything unusual until after the airplane touched down and began skidding to the left. The passenger occupying seat 1A reported that while the pilot was circling the airport she observed the runway covered with a thin layer of snow. There were some tracks on the runway with an "...off grayish color which made the runway appear icy...."

The airport manager submitted a "Report of Aircraft Accident/Incident." The manager said that the winds were calm and the airplane veered to the left after the initial touch down. After leaving the runway the pilot added power. The airplane continued toward the fuel island until it made contact.