NYC96LA039

After the pilot flew a local flight, he returned to the departure airport and landed on runway 32. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left and collided with a snowbank at the edge of the runway. Examination revealed that the 5,000 foot runway was covered with ice along its entire length, and was lightly sanded. No skid marks were present on the surface of the runway, and winds at the airport were reported to be from 260 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 19.

On December 12, 1995, at 1100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N734QZ, was substantially damaged after landing at the Sanford Municipal Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personnel flight that departed SFM, at 1040. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed SFM for a local flight. Upon returning to SFM, he landed on runway 32.

The pilot further stated:

...Runway was icy...I completed roll out and allowed forward momentum to dissipate to taxi speed. Suddenly the plane began to slide to the left; sand on runway's icy surface had no effect. I applied right rudder to no avail, applied right brake, still no effect. The plane continued to slide slowly toward the left edge of runway...As the plane reached the snow bank at an angle of 40 to 45 degrees, the tricycle gear [nose] went through...the snow bank, main gear stopped at snow bank forcing the plane to slowly nose over...

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report, the plowed runway had a layer of ice along its entire length, and the runway was sanded "lightly."

The FAA Inspector further stated:

...No skid marks were present on the ice surface of the runway. While investigating this accident, wind gust conditions on the runway were experienced...

Runway 32 was a 5,000 foot long, 100 foot wide, asphalt runway. At the time of the accident, the winds at an airport 25 miles northeast of SFM were reported to be from 260 degrees, at 12 knots, gusting to 18. The winds at an airport 21 miles southwest of SFM were reported to be from 240 degrees, at 17 knots, gusting to 20.