NTSB Factual Report

On January 12, 2001, about 0930 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 182P, N52359, was destroyed while landing at Angola Airport (D22), Angola, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed D22, about 0920. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he intended to fly to Akron Airport, Akron, New York, to have an annual inspection performed on his airplane. After departing D22, the pilot observed that the ceiling was lower than he expected. He decided to return to the airport and wait for the weather to improve. He flew a traffic pattern for Runway 19, a 3,212-foot long, 60-foot wide runway. The pilot stated that the runway was partially covered with ice and snow, but the first 600-800 feet of the runway was not contaminated. In an attempt to land on the uncontaminated portion of the runway, the pilot performed a "lower than normal" approach, and struck a snowbank at the approach end of the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded along the runway. It came to rest on the runway, and a post impact fire ensued. The pilot added that environment was all snow, and there was no discernable difference in snow elevations.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. He stated that everything was destroyed by fire, except the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged clearance over an obstacle.