What happened
The pilot was operating a cross-country flight when the aircraft encountered airframe icing conditions. Prior to departure, the pilot had received advice regarding the presence of icing in the area. Due to the hazardous weather, the decision was made to divert to Carthage, Missouri.
Upon arrival at the destination, the runway surface was covered with ice. After touchdown, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft within the available distance. The aircraft continued sliding off the end of the runway and collided with a chain link fence.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed that the primary factor contributing to the incident was the inability to maintain directional control and stopping capability on the contaminated runway surface. The airframe icing encountered during flight necessitated the diversion, which placed additional demands on the aircraft's performance upon landing.
Findings
The investigation highlighted several critical factors:
- Airframe icing was encountered during the en route portion of the flight.
- The pilot had been advised of the icing conditions before the flight began.
- The runway at Carthage, MO, was ice covered at the time of landing.
- The aircraft slid off the end of the runway due to reduced friction.
The combination of diverted operations into known icing and landing on a contaminated surface led to the loss of stopping capability.