Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the icy runway conditions and a snow bank.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he checked the weather information for the arrival airport during the execution of an instrument approach. He stated that the weather report indicated the winds to be light, and that the runway had been plowed and sanded but was covered with light snow and patchy ice. Just after touchdown the airplane began to drift to the left; the pilot then countered with the gradual application of right rudder. The airplane momentarily straightened out, but as the ground speed decreased, the airplane continued the left drift. The airplane then departed the runway and collided with a snow bank causing substantial damage to the firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 22, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Piper PA-46-350P
- N-number
- N379P
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.