N1489L

On February 3, 2000, at 1405 eastern standard time, a Beech A23, N1489L, sustained substantial damage on impact with a snowbank during a landing on runway 36 (4,400 feet X 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at Starke County Airport, near Knox, Indiana (OXI). The flight was being conducted as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, in visual meteorological conditions, with a student pilot and certified flight instructor on board. The pilots sustained no injuries. The flight originated from Porter County Municipal Airport, Valparaiso, Indiana (VPZ) at 1220 central standard time and was landing at OXI at the time of the accident.

The instructor stated, "While taxing to active runway we went through slushy snow area not cleared by airport personnel. We departed VPZ [and] stayed in pattern and performed a go-around on 27. Departed VPZ for OXI to perform x wind landings so that student could solo at VPZ. Student performed two go-around and on third attempt had every thing lined up for a good landing. As the aircraft settled onto the runway the aircraft pulled to the right. I grabbed controls, added full power. Right tire went into snow bank along side of runway and pulled aircraft off of runway, skidding side ways and collapsing nose wheel. After departing aircraft I checked runway and found a single skid tiremark on runway, about 20 feet long. My assumption is that the slush during taxi at VPZ froze the tire up and caused us to be pulled off runway on landing at Stark County Airport."

The student stated, "Upon my flare I drifted slightly right of center line and sat the plane down. It immediately pulled to the right."

The airplane was moved prior to a Federal Aviation Administration examination. The examination did not reveal any anomalies.