NTSB Factual Report

On March 4, 2002, at 0945 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N24933, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a snow bank at Vance Brand Airport (2V2), in Longmont, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft is owned and operated by Air West Flight Center, Inc. of Longmont, Colorado, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 29. He stated that the touch down and initial rollout were normal, but as the airplane decelerated it began to drift to the left of runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct the situation with rudder inputs; however, the airplane continued to track to the left. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, collided with a three-foot snow bank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and empennage.

At 0945 the Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Jeffco Airport (KBJC), located 16 nautical miles south of the accident site reported winds from 280 degrees at 10 knots, 80 statue miles visibility, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet, temperature 4 degrees Celsius, dew point minus 12 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.12 inches.

There was a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM-D) in effect for Vance Brand Airport between March 1, 2002 at 1147 and March 4, 2002 at 1223, for 1 /2 inch of packed snow over ice and braking action poor.

The pilot reported on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form no mechanical malfunctions or failures at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors were a contaminated runway, which was icy and covered with snow, and a snow bank.