Accident involving aircraft flying into known icing conditions

Casualties unknown • Heath, OH, US

A pilot flying an aircraft not certified for icing encountered low visibility and fog during approach, resulting in an accident.

What happened

The pilot initiated a flight after receiving a weather briefing via DUAT. While area airports were reporting low ceilings, there were no weather reporting facilities available at the destination airport. Witnesses at the destination reported conditions consisting of fog with a 1-mile visibility and a 200-foot ceiling.

During the flight, the pilot performed a missed approach. Following a second approach attempt, witnesses observed and heard the unspecified aircraft flying at a low altitude southeast of the airport. The accident occurred at 0915. The pilot had a scheduled appointment in the local town at 1000 and a subsequent appointment at his office, located approximately 50 road miles or 20 air minutes away, at 1300.

Findings

Investigation of the flight conditions revealed that the aircraft was not certified for flight into known icing conditions. The pilot had approximately 340 total flying hours, all of which were accumulated within the preceding year.

Probable cause

The pilot flew an aircraft into known icing conditions despite the aircraft lacking certification for such operations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-02-14 Piper PA-32-301 accident near Heath, OH?

A pilot flying an aircraft not certified for icing encountered low visibility and fog during approach, resulting in an accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-02-14 involved a Piper PA-32-301, registration N4380T, operated by James A. Mccauley, at Heath, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot flew an aircraft into known icing conditions despite the aircraft lacking certification for such operations.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14165. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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