Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172RG near Albany, OH — 2010-02-18

Final reportCEN10LA126
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Date
2010-02-18
Location
Albany, OH, USA
Airport
KUNI
Aircraft
CESSNA 172RG
Registration
N9771B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the flight into known icing conditions with an airplane not properly equipped for flight into icing conditions which exceeded the capabilities of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The non-instrument rated pilot was in visual meteorological conditions above the clouds and requested a descent through the clouds under instrument flight rules (IFR). The air traffic controller asked if the pilot was qualified to operate in IFR conditions and the pilot responded that he was qualified. During the descent, the airplane accumulated ice. The pilot had been made aware of the possibility of icing conditions during two preflight briefings, an in-flight weather update, and by the controller who relayed pilot reports of ice accumulation. The airplane was not approved or equipped for flight in icing conditions. As the rate of ice accumulation increased, the pilot requested to divert to another airport. The controller issued radar vectors and subsequently cleared the pilot for an instrument approach to that airport. Later, the pilot communicated that he had the airport in sight and canceled his IFR clearance. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and the ground about 1/4 mile from the airport.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to divert earlier instead of continuing approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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