Incident Details
An instrument-rated private pilot was conducting a personal IFR flight from Telluride, Colorado, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, with three passengers on board. Prior to the flight's arrival at Colorado Springs, the destination weather fell below IFR minimums, prompting a diversion to Pueblo, Colorado, for an instrument landing.
Weather Conditions
At the time of arrival in Pueblo, weather conditions were reported as 300 obscured, visibility 1 mile, temperature and dewpoint both 30 degrees Fahrenheit, wind from 090 degrees at 5 knots. Visibility restrictions were attributed to fog and snow.
Flight Events
During the approach to runway 8L, the pilot experienced windscreen icing and observed ice accumulating on the aircraft's surfaces. As the aircraft flared for touchdown, it slowed to 70 knots at an altitude of 5 feet and subsequently stalled. A hard landing resulted from the stall. Despite the impact, no damage was initially visible, and the aircraft taxied to parking without further incident.
Post-Flight Discovery
The incident was not reported at the time of landing. However, during a subsequent hard landing inspection, a mechanic discovered damage to the aircraft's firewall. The discovery prompted the eventual reporting of the event.