On December 2, 1991, a Cessna 310D (registration N6890T) operated by Harry G. Hanson was involved in an aviation accident near Hamilton, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE INADVERTEND ENCOUNTER WITH ICING CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE UNAVAILABILITY OF AN AIRPORT WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY AND THE DETERIORATED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An ATP-rated pilot inadvertently encountered freezing rain while circling to land on an NDB approach. Ice accumulation degraded airplane performance, leading to a forced landing during which the aircraft struck fences and a barn.
Incident Overview
An ATP-rated pilot was conducting an NDB approach and circled to land when they inadvertently encountered freezing rain. The airport lacked the capability to provide weather observations. Local area weather observation facilities reported light rain at the approximate time of the accident. The weather information relayed to the pilot by the approach controller, immediately before commencing the approach, was based on a third facility and did not indicate any rain activity. The surface temperature was 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Impact of Ice Accumulation
The ice accumulation that formed on the aircraft degraded its performance to the extent that a forced landing became necessary. During the landing, the airplane collided with fences and a barn. A police officer reported observing heavy ice accumulation on the airplane after the event.