Incident Details
A certificated private pilot was operating an airplane on a special VFR clearance from Bethel Airport. Shortly after a northeasterly departure, severe icing conditions were encountered. The pilot elected to return to the airport. During the approach, heavy ice buildup on the windscreen restricted forward visibility, necessitating a series of S-turns to locate the runway. Just prior to touchdown, the airplane stalled above the runway threshold and landed hard in a nose-low attitude.
Pilot Account
In her written statement to the NTSB, the pilot reported that the accident was caused by encountering severe icing conditions. She stated, in part: "I just got into icing conditions. That's what caused it." She also noted that predeparture weather information was obtained from the Bethel automatic terminal information service (ATIS) and the recorded automated weather observation system (AWOS) message close to her intended destination.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage as a result of the hard landing.