NTSB Factual Report

On February 28, 2001, at 1220 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5236H, operated by a solo student pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a snowbank while landing on runway 15 (5,400 feet by 100 feet, snow and ice covered asphalt) at the Mankato Municipal Airport (MKT), Mankato, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. A visual flight rules flight plan was on file. The student pilot reported no injuries. The solo cross-country flight originated at Redwood Falls, Minnesota, at 1145.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he "attempted a landing on [runway] 15. Airplane bounced on initial touchdown and ballooned slightly. Crosswind blew [the] airplane to the left. Icy runway made it hard to correct. Airplane blew off runway and hit snow. Nosewheel buried in snow. Back of [the] plane came up, plane cart-wheeled on [its] left wing."

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane showed damage to the left wing and propeller. The airplane's nose wheel and firewall were bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

The automatic weather observing/reporting system at MKT at the time of the accident reported wind conditions of 230 degrees at 20 knots and gusts to 27 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were the student pilot's lack of total experience, the icy runway, the strong crosswind, the wind gusts, and the snowbank.