What happened
An experienced professional pilot was operating an aircraft under conditions where icing was forecast. As the flight approached its destination, the pilot encountered actual icing conditions which significantly obscured forward visibility through the windshield.
During the approach phase, the situation deteriorated to the point that a go-around was initiated. The aircraft's anti-icing equipment functioned and cleared a small area of the windshield, allowing the pilot to see enough to decide to continue with the landing rather than diverting or holding.
As the aircraft entered the landing flare from an altitude of approximately 15 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed to compensate for the ice accumulation on the wings. This loss of speed resulted in a stall. The subsequent hard landing caused structural damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational decisions made during the approach and go-around, as well as the aerodynamic effects of the icing conditions. Examination confirmed that anti-icing equipment had cleared only a small portion of the windshield. The primary finding was related to airspeed management during the flare phase while ice was present on the lifting surfaces.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to compensate for ice on wings during the landing flare. Contributing factors included forecast icing conditions that obscured forward visibility and the decision to land despite reduced visibility.