On February 11, 1994, a Mooney M20K (registration N1093M) operated by Hicks, Roy H. was involved in an aviation accident near Applegate, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND ICING CONDITIONS. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SELECTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, DARK NIGHT, AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a night cross-country flight in icing conditions, the pilot reported ice accumulation and engine power loss. Despite ATC maneuvering to lower terrain, the pilot lost visual reference and descended below radar. A witness saw the airplane along a lake edge before it collided with a valley wall near a dam.
Incident Overview
A night cross-country flight encountered icing conditions, during which the pilot reported to air traffic control (ATC) that ice was accumulating on the aircraft and the engine was losing power. ATC attempted to direct the airplane toward lower terrain to mitigate the situation. However, the pilot was unable to see the terrain for visual reference, and the aircraft subsequently dropped below radar contact.
Pilot Reports
The pilot communicated with ATC about the ice accumulation and the decreasing engine power. In response, ATC provided vectors intended to maneuver the airplane to an area with lower terrain. Despite these efforts, the pilot lost sight of the ground, and radar contact was lost as the aircraft descended.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane flying along the edge of a lake. The airplane appeared to be maintaining altitude while following the shoreline. The witness then saw the airplane collide with the west side of a valley wall at the north end of the lake, near a dam.