CHI01LA071

Factual narrative

On January 20, 2001, at 0945 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N714UA, operated by a certified flight instructor (CFI) collided with a snow bank while landing on runway 06 (3,500 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Neither the CFI nor the student pilot was injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport at 0930 eastern standard time. The CFI reported the purpose of the flight was for the student to practice takeoffs and landings. The CFI reported stated that the first landing was right of the runway centerline and a "bit rough." The CFI reported, "As we climbed out we discussed, again, doing a go-around if things didn't look or feel right." The CFI continued to report that during the second landing approach, they were getting a little low. The student added power so the CFI didn't say anything. "On short final, my student pulled the power to idle. I saw what was happening. We were sinking. The runway was right there and I thought that we would make it, just for a moment. When I realized we may not, I couldn't react quick enough to save us." The airplane touched down in the snow approximately 10 feet prior to the approach end of the runway. The airplane then contacted a hard snow bank, which was situated between the runway end lights and the surface of the runway. The CFI reported that this caused the nose gear to be pushed under the belly and the right main gear was pulled back separating the wheel assembly. The propeller contacted the runway surface and the airplane slid 200 feet on the runway prior to coming to rest. The airplane undershot the runway and contacted a snow bank during the landing. The CFI reported the airplane was getting low during the landing approach, however, the student added power to correct. The student then pulled the power to idle on short final and the airplane began to sink. The CFI reported he thought they were going to make it to the runway and that he was unable to react quick enough once he realized that they were not going to make it. The airplane touched down in the snow approximately 10 feet prior to the approach end of the runway. The airplane then contacted a snow bank that was between the runway end lights and the surface of the runway. The nose and right main gears collapsed and the airplane slid 200 feet down the runway prior to coming to rest. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12