NTSB Factual Report

On December 20, 2000, about 1330 central standard time, a Beech F33A, N282R, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a snowbank off the left side of runway 11 (5,199 feet by 100 feet, snow covered/ asphalt) at Winona Municipal-Max Conrad Field Airport, near Winona, Minnesota. The airplane had picked up its IFR clearance and had been observed airborne in a left bank turn. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Flying Cloud Airport, near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The pilot stated, "After getting clearance for flite to MSP I taxied to runway 11 [and] looked down runway[.] It was snowing [and] blowing harder than before so I decided to taxi aways down to se condition of runway[.] Then decided not to go [and] looking for turn off I hit snow bank[.]"

A witness stated, "I saw the plane leave the ramp area and taxi toward runway 11. (The building next door obstructs the view of the west end of the runway.) After hearing some garbled talk on the UNICOM I saw the plane come into view, airborne, directly in front of the lobby window. It banked left, made a 180 degree turn, and flew parallel to the runway with not much altitude. It then disappeared from view because of the building next door. Soon the pilot contacted [the fixed base operator] via UNICOM and asked that someone come and pick him up because he said he had slid off the runway."

A pilot, who departed prior to the accident airplane, said, "My recollection of the AWOS reported weather at the time was 400 overcast, 1 mile, very light dry snow. On departure the runway was covered with no more than 1/2" of dry fluffy snow. The runway was plowed beyond the outer runway edge lights. Prior to my take off, [the accident pilot] asked me for a pilot report as to icing conditions, ceilings, and visibility. ... Out of 1900' I attempted to contact [the accident pilot] who was on the ground on 122.8. After my first try I got a reply of carrier only no modulation. I called again and got a carrier but no modulation, I attempted a third time in the blind and gave a report of the weather conditions. I asked if [the accident pilot] got the message to click twice, we heard two clicks. My reports were negative ice, ground contact at 1900', 1 mile visibility looked accurate. ... Upon my return to Winona that evening we landed on runway 11 with no difficulty. Note snow accumulation now at least 2"."

At 1257, the Winona Municipal-Max Conrad Field Airport weather was: Wind 150 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 1 and 1/4 statute mile; current condition light snow; sky condition overcast 700 feet; temperature -12 degrees C; dew point -14 degrees C; altimeter 29.86 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the snowbank.