NTSB Factual Report

On December 30, 2000, at 1142 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6326F, piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI) and dual student, was substantially damaged during landing at the Elkhart Municipal Airport, Elkhart, Indiana. On landing, the aircraft slid into a snowbank on the side of runway 27 (6,500 feet by 120 feet snow covered asphalt). The CFI and student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated at 1000.

In a written statement, the CFI said, "Upon landing and rollout, the aircraft slide sideways on some ice, corrections were made, but no change." The aircraft subsequently struck the snowbank at the edge of the runway. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions in his written report. The CFI reported that the dual student was at the controls at the time of the accident.

A postaccident examination of the aircraft, by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of directional control by the student pilot and the inadequate remedial action and inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor. Factors were the snow and ice covered runway and the snowbank.