On December 29, 1995, a Cessna 310R (registration N68300) was involved in an aviation accident near Minocqua, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing. The weather and ice accumulation on the airplane were factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot executing a localizer approach encountered mixed ice, initiated a missed approach, and later suffered performance deterioration leading to a near ground stall and hard landing.
What happened
The pilot reported that while descending and being vectored on the localizer approach, the airplane accumulated mixed but mostly clear ice. He executed a missed approach, subjecting the airplane to 'extended exposure to ice conditions.' On his next approach, the pilot stated that he experienced 'deterioration of performance resulting in a near ground stall and hard landing.'
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's condition during the final approach phase. The pilot noted mixed but mostly clear ice accumulation during the initial descent. This led to a decision to abort the approach, which resulted in extended time in the icing environment.
Findings
The airplane accumulated mixed but mostly clear ice while descending on the localizer.
The pilot executed a missed approach, leading to extended exposure to ice conditions.
Performance deterioration occurred during the subsequent approach.
The event resulted in a near ground stall and hard landing.