No fatalities

Icing Encounter Leads to Hard Landing; Wing Spars and Propeller Damaged (N10QP)

Grand Island, NE, US

On November 27, 1990, a Cessna 401 (registration N10QP) operated by Suburban Air Freight Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Island, NE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FLARE MISJUDGED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ICING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N10QP
Aircraft registered N10QP. Photo: Aeroprints.com / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A pilot reported moderate to heavy icing after takeoff and returned to the departure airport. An erratic approach and hard landing from about 20 feet AGL resulted in damage to both wing spars and the right propeller.

Incident Overview

Shortly after departure, the pilot reported encountering moderate to heavy icing conditions. The pilot elected to return to the departure airport. Air traffic control personnel observed the aircraft making an erratic final approach. The aircraft then descended from approximately 20 feet above ground level to the runway.

Post-Landing Events

Following the landing, the pilot was able to taxi the aircraft to the ramp area without any further incident. The aircraft was then inspected.

Damage Assessment

A post-accident investigation revealed that both wing spars had been damaged. Additionally, the right propeller sustained damage. The extent of damage to other components was not reported.

Pilot Statement

The pilot's account indicated that the icing conditions were encountered shortly after takeoff. No other details regarding the icing encounter or the subsequent approach were provided by the pilot.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Nov 1990 Cessna 401 accident near Grand Island, NE?

A pilot reported moderate to heavy icing after takeoff and returned to the departure airport. An erratic approach and hard landing from about 20 feet AGL resulted in damage to both wing spars and the right propeller.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Nov 1990 Cessna 401 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Nov 1990 involved a Cessna 401, registration N10QP, operated by Suburban Air Freight Inc., at Grand Island, NE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FLARE MISJUDGED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ICING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24597. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.