Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI99LA061

OLATHE, KS, USA

Aircraft #1

N740T

Beech BE-V35B

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was cleared to 4,000 feet msl at his request. Approximately 40 miles southwest of Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe, Kansas, the pilot noticed clear ice forming on the windshield and the wing's leading edge. He added that the rime ice build up was three inches thick. The pilot stated that he flew the localizer 36 approach at 120 mph and as he crossed the threshold of runway 36, approximately 20 feet above the runway surface, he started to 'round out and the airplane immediately stalled and hit hard'. The aircraft came to rest on the right side approach end of runway 36 where the right main and nose landing gear were found collapsed. At 1553, the Johnson County Executive Airport automated surface observing system recorded a surface temperature of -2 degrees Celsius and an overcast cloud layer at 2,200 feet msl. Advisory circular 00-6A, Aviation weather states, '...all clouds at subfreezing temperatures have icing potential. However, drop size, drop distribution, and aerodynamic effects of the aircraft influence ice formation.' AC 00-6A also states, '...If your aircraft is not equipped with deicing or anti-icing equipment, avoid areas of icing. Water (clouds or precipitation) must be visible and outside air temperature must be near zero degrees Celsius or colder for structural ice to form.' Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed 3/4-inch thick rime ice on the aircraft's wing and empennage leading edges.

Factual Information

On January 6, 1999, at 1530 central standard time, a Beech V35B, N740T, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a hard landing on runway 36 (4,099 feet by 75 feet, dry concrete) at the Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), Olathe, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an instrument flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Coffey County Airport (UKL), Burlington, Kansas, at 1456, and was en route to OJC. The pilot reported that he was cleared to 4,000 feet msl at his request following departure from UKL. At approximately 40 miles southwest of OJC, the pilot noticed clear ice forming on the windshield and leading edge of the wing. He added that the rime ice build up was three inches thick. The pilot stated that he flew the localizer 36 approach at 120 mph and as he crossed the threshold at approximately 20 feet above the runway surface, he started to "round out and the airplane immediately stalled and hit hard". The aircraft came to rest 200 feet north and 60 feet east of the approach end of runway 36 where the right main and nose landing gear were found collapsed. At 1553, the OJC automated surface observing system recorded a surface temperature of -2 degrees Celsius and an overcast cloud layer at 2,200 feet msl. Advisory circular 00-6A, Aviation weather states, "...all clouds at subfreezing temperatures have icing potential. However, drop size, drop distribution, and aerodynamic effects of the aircraft influence ice formation." AC 00-6A also states, "...If your aircraft is not equipped with deicing or anti-icing equipment, avoid areas of icing. Water (clouds or precipitation) must be visible and outside air temperature must be near ) degrees Celsius or colder for structural ice to form." Postaccident photos of the aircraft revealed approximately 3/4-inch thick rime ice on the aircraft's wing and empennage leading edges.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather that resulted in structural icing and subsequently an aerodynamic stall on landing flare. A factor was the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation .

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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