Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35 near Dodge City, KS — 2009-12-06

Final reportCEN10LA068
Sign in to save
Date
2009-12-06
Location
Dodge City, KS, USA
Airport
DDC
Aircraft
BEECH V35
Registration
N108L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The failure of the pitot heat system in icing conditions resulting in an inoperative airspeed indicator which led to an inadvertant stall while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly into known icing conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the pitot heat system was working during preflight. He obtained a full weather briefing from flight service, and checked the weather via the internet before departing. While airborne at 6,000 feet to 6,500 feet mean sea level he encountered instrument meteorological conditions and turned on the pitot heat. Sometime later, the airplane encountered moderate icing conditions. The airspeed indicator stopped working and the pilot diverted from his route of flight to an alternate airport. While over the runway on landing approach, the airplane stalled and landed hard, substantially damaging the airplane. Ice was found at the impact site, on the airplanes surfaces, and in the pitot tube. Inspection of the pitot tube revealed the pitot heat was not functioning at the pitot tube. On the day of the accident there were two AIRMETs for moderate icing in effect for the pilot’s route of flight and altitude. The pilot could not recall being informed of the icing conditions during his weather briefing and his briefing from flight service could not be located.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to avoid IFR conditions and not descend.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

Related mishaps