N80029

On January 13, 1996, at 1620 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-28-161, N80029, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing the airplane struck a snow bank and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A VFR flight plan was on file. The student pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Zionsville, Indiana, at 1615 est.

In his written statement, the student pilot stated he was performing his third touch and go landing. He had just made the decision to takeoff again when the airplane "pulled left into the snow and stood up on its nose." "The airplane then slowly fell over onto its back." The pilot stated that the center 75 feet of the runway's 100 foot width had been plowed. The plowed area was "clear and dry." The pilot had not yet applied power to the engine or raised the flaps when the airplane pulled left.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage at the site found the airplane nosed over in a snow bank approximately 10 feet in from the left edge of the runway, and approximately 2000 feet down from the approach end of the runway. The airplane's right wing spar had separated from the fuselage at the wing root. The right wing, along the leading edge, showed heavy wrinkles and bending. The upper one-third of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. Numerous wrinkles were found throughout the aft fuselage. Flight control continuity was established. No anomalies were found in the engine or in any of the airplane's other systems.