On November 30, 1992, a Beech A36 (registration N244JH) operated by Hoyt Investments was involved in an aviation accident near Frankfort, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain adequate control of the aircraft during an instrument approach in icing conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the left main landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft accumulated structural ice while flying through clouds during an instrument approach. The pilot maintained a higher than normal airspeed but experienced a shudder upon flare, resulting in a hard landing on the left main gear.
What happened
The flight was underway under instrument flight rules when the pilot encountered meteorological conditions that led to the accumulation of structural ice on the airframe. This occurred while the aircraft was operating within cloud layers during an approach phase.
To manage the icing conditions, the pilot elected to fly the approach at an airspeed higher than standard procedure. As the aircraft reached the flare point for touchdown, it experienced a significant shudder and subsequent descent rate increase. The aircraft impacted the runway surface hard, with the left main landing gear striking first.
The investigation
Post-acc examination confirmed structural damage consistent with the reported hard landing. The primary mechanical failure was localized to the left main landing gear assembly due to the excessive vertical load at touchdown.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain adequate control of the aircraft during an instrument approach in icing conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the left main landing gear.
What happened in the 30 Nov 1992 Beech A36 accident near Frankfort, IL?
An aircraft accumulated structural ice while flying through clouds during an instrument approach. The pilot maintained a higher than normal airspeed but experienced a shudder upon flare, resulting in a hard landing on the left main gear.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Nov 1992 involved a Beech A36, registration N244JH, operated by Hoyt Investments, at Frankfort, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inability to maintain adequate control of the aircraft during an instrument approach in icing conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the left main landing gear.
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