Casualties unknown

Flight Into Known Icing Conditions After Weather Brief (N4380T)

Heath, OH, US

On February 14, 1992, a Piper PA-32-301 (registration N4380T) operated by James A. Mccauley was involved in an aviation accident near Heath, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN INADVERTENT STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. AN ADDITIONAL CAUSE WAS THE PILOT'S SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO COMPLETE THE FIGHT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND TO DEVIATE FROM THE PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot flew into known icing conditions after a DUAT weather brief. Witnesses reported low ceiling and fog. The airplane was not certified for known icing. The pilot had 340 hours, all in the preceding year.

Incident Summary

At 0915, an accident occurred involving a pilot who had conducted a flight into known icing conditions. The pilot received a weather briefing via DUAT prior to the flight. Area airports were reporting low ceilings, though no weather reporting facilities were available at the intended destination.

Weather Conditions

Witnesses observed a ceiling of 200 feet and visibility of one mile with fog at the airport. The airplane was not certified for flight into known icing conditions.

Flight Operations

After missing an initial approach, the pilot attempted a second approach. Following the second approach, witnesses saw and heard the airplane flying southeast of the airport at a low altitude. The accident occurred at 0915. The pilot had a scheduled appointment in town at 1000 and another appointment back at his office at 1300, which was located 50 road miles or 20 air minutes away.

Pilot Information

The pilot had approximately 340 hours of flight experience, all of which were obtained within the preceding year.

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.