DURANGO, CO, USA
N5808
CONVAIR 580
AFTER MAKING AN IFR APPROACH, THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION OF THE LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS AGAINST THE FALLING SNOW. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID HE SENSED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND HE TRIED TO CORRECT, BUT IT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRCRAFT HYDROPLANING OR SKIDDING. AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ELECTED TO DELAY PLOWING THE RUNWAY FOR FEAR OF IT FREEZING OVER. PASSENGERS CLAIMED THERE WAS 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW ON TOP OF A 3/4- INCH LAYER OF SLUSH. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OF VARIOUS INTENSITIES BECAUSE SOME UNAPPROVED LIGHT BULBS OF DIFFERENT AMPERAGE WERE USED. THE RUNWAY WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CENTERLINE LIGHTING. THE PAINTED WHITE CENTERLINE STRIPE WAS COVERED BY SNOW AND SLUSH.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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