On February 13, 1991, a Beech F33A (registration N66841) operated by Mac W. Huss was involved in an aviation accident near Ogden, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft due to severe icing conditions that caused engine roughness, resulting in a ditching in the Great Salt Lake. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft encountered severe rime ice shortly after takeoff, causing engine roughness. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot was forced to ditch the plane in the Great Salt Lake.
What happened
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing toward cruise altitude, the pilot reported that the airplane began accumulating rime ice. Concurrently, the engine started running rough. The flight crew attempted to return to the departure airport but was unable to make it back. Consequently, the aircraft was ditched in the Great Salt Lake. The airplane was not recovered from the water.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this incident were the severe rime ice accumulation and the resulting engine roughness. These conditions prevented the pilot from maintaining controlled flight or returning to the airfield, leading to the forced ditching in the Great Salt Lake.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft due to severe icing conditions that caused engine roughness, resulting in a ditching in the Great Salt Lake.
What happened in the 13 Feb 1991 Beech F33A accident near Ogden, UT?
A light aircraft encountered severe rime ice shortly after takeoff, causing engine roughness. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot was forced to ditch the plane in the Great Salt Lake.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 13 Feb 1991 involved a Beech F33A, registration N66841, operated by Mac W. Huss, at Ogden, UT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft due to severe icing conditions that caused engine roughness, resulting in a ditching in the Great Salt Lake.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…
