On December 24, 2001, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N3023K) was involved in an aviation accident near Prescott, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot assumed insufficient lift due to ice particles on the wings caused the inability to climb. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff the aircraft failed to climb, prompting an intentional gear-up landing at the departure end of the runway. Investigators found snow and ice on wing surfaces; the pilot reported removing most ice but suspected residual ice reduced lift.
Incident Summary
Following takeoff, the aircraft was unable to gain altitude. With insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff, the pilot intentionally executed a gear-up landing at the departure end of the runway. Airport personnel responding to the scene observed that most of the wing surfaces were covered with 1/8 to 3/8 inch of snow and ice.
Preflight Actions
The pilot reported spending 1.5 hours using a broom and a cloth to remove snow and "most of [the] ice" from the fuselage and wings prior to departure. Despite these efforts, some ice remained on the aircraft surfaces.
Pilot's Report and Findings
The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions were present during the flight. He attributed the inability to climb to residual ice contamination, saying, "I must assume I hadn't enough lift due to ice particles." The presence of snow and ice on the wings after landing supports this assessment.
Probable cause
The pilot assumed insufficient lift due to ice particles on the wings caused the inability to climb.