MANKATO, MN, USA
N110RR
Piper J3C
The pilot attempted a landing in a field at a friend's farm after a short flight from a nearby airport. The pilot stated that on approach he noted a crosswind from the left and had the '...left wing low for [the] wind.' The pilot stated the airplane drifted to the right of the centerline of the intended landing site, impacted a pipeline marker pole, and substantially damaged the airplane. The pilot stated that he 'couldn't tell [he] was drifting to [the] north because of [the] snow conditions.'
On January 25, 1998, at 1100 central standard time (cst), a Piper J3C, N110RR, was substantially damaged during a collision with a pipeline marker pole during the landing rollout in a farmer's field. The instrument rated commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the time of the accident. The flight departed Eagle Nest, Minnesota, at 1045 cst. The pilot stated that he was coming into land at a friend's farm field when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he went over wires and was attempting to land alongside of a road. The pilot said there was a little bit of a wind from the south and that he was landing to the west. He stated that he "...had the left wing low for [the] wind," which hid a pipeline pole. The pilot stated the airplane drifted to the right of the centerline of the intended landing site. He stated that he lost depth perception and could not see because of the fresh snow conditions. The pilot said that "by the time [he] realized it, it was too late..." and the airplane impacted a pipeline marker pole, hitting the right wing strut and resulting in substantial damage.
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and not maintaining proper alignment. Factors contributing to the accident were the snow covered terrain and the lack of depth perception it produced.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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