Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Building During ILS Approach After Encountering Icing (N4553Q)

North Kansas CI, MO, US

On January 22, 1982, a Cessna 402A (registration N4553Q) operated by Springdale Air Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near North Kansas CI, MO. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot, after two weather briefings forecasting icing, encountered freezing precipitation and executed two ILS approaches. On the second approach, a low altitude alert was issued, and the aircraft struck a building 1/3 mile northeast of the runway.

Weather Briefings

The pilot received two weather briefings prior to the flight. During the first briefing, a significant portion of time was spent identifying an alternate airport. The forecast included instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with low ceilings, low visibility, light snow, fog, and possible freezing drizzle. The aircraft was not certificated for flight in known icing conditions.

Approach Attempts

While on arrival, the aircraft entered an overcast layer at 3,500 feet MSL. Two minutes later, the pilot reported encountering freezing precipitation. The initial instrument landing system (ILS) approach was abandoned in the vicinity of the final approach fix (FAF) and outer marker after the pilot flew through the localizer course line and was positioned approximately one-half mile to the right of the course. Subsequently, air traffic control vectored the aircraft for another ILS approach.

Accident Sequence

During the second approach, while inbound, the pilot was informed that approach control had received a low altitude alert. The pilot was reminded that the altitude should be 2,600 feet until reaching the FAF; however, the aircraft descended to 2,400 feet. The airspeed was much higher than normal while descending from the FAF. The aircraft subsequently struck a building and caught fire approximately one-third mile northeast of the end of Runway 18.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X02467. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.