NTSB Factual Report

On February 16, 2004, at 1620 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2258M, operated by Carroll Aviation, undershot the runway and contacted deep snow while landing on runway 13 (5,500 feet by 100 feet, concrete) at the Arthur N. Neu Airport (CIN), Carroll, Iowa. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from CIN at 1540.

The pilot stated he was conducting touch and go landings when the accident occurred. He stated he performed two takeoffs and landings and he departed the traffic pattern following the third takeoff. After circling the city, he returned for his third landing.

The pilot reported that during the approach he "observed airspeed [at] 70 kts just before impact, throttle was [at] or near idle, when I made some adjustment to engage more power, but not early enough to avoid premature touchdown on ground surface." The airplane impacted the snow covered ground 35 feet short of the runway, 535 feet short of the displaced threshold. The nose gear collapsed when it contacted the snow. The propeller subsequently contacted the ground and the runway pavement. The airplane slid onto the runway and came to rest approximately 100 feet down the runway. The pilot stated he performed the shutdown procedures and exited the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance, and his inadequate remedial action which resulted in the failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. A factor was the snow covered terrain which was encountered by the airplane.