On January 14, 1989, a Cessna 180 (registration N4585B) operated by Geiger, Richard G. was involved in an aviation accident near Russells Point, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INACCURATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITION, AND HIS FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE WEATHER BRIEFING RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRUCTURAL ICING WHICH COVERED THE WINDSCREEN, BLOCKING FORWARD VISIBILITY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost forward visibility due to windshield icing just after touchdown, causing the aircraft to veer off the airstrip into a muddy field and nose over. No weather briefing was obtained before the flight.
Event
The pilot reported encountering freezing mist during cruise flight and elected to divert to his home airstrip. While on approach, the windshield iced over. Immediately after touchdown, all forward visibility was lost. To avoid trees on the left side, the pilot directed the aircraft toward the right side of the airstrip during rollout. The airplane subsequently ran off the right side into a muddy field and nosed over.
Weather Information
The pilot did not report having obtained any weather briefings prior to the flight, and no record of such a briefing was found. A weather reporting station located approximately 37 miles away reported light freezing rain and fog about 25 minutes before departure.
Post-Accident Findings
No record of the pilot having obtained a weather briefing was discovered. The accident sequence involved the aircraft departing the prepared surface and coming to rest inverted in a muddy field.
What happened in the 14 Jan 1989 Cessna 180 accident near Russells Point, OH?
A pilot lost forward visibility due to windshield icing just after touchdown, causing the aircraft to veer off the airstrip into a muddy field and nose over. No weather briefing was obtained before the flight.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Jan 1989 involved a Cessna 180, registration N4585B, operated by Geiger, Richard G., at Russells Point, OH.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S INACCURATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITION, AND HIS FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE WEATHER BRIEFING RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRUCTURAL ICING WHICH COVERED THE WINDSCREEN, BLOCKING FORWARD VISIBILITY.
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