Casualties unknown

2004-01-14: Cessna 421 (N300FB) — Nicholas Pate — Ravenna, OH

Ravenna, OH, US

On January 14, 2004, a Cessna 421 (registration N300FB) operated by Nicholas Pate was involved in an aviation accident near Ravenna, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent hard landing. A factor in the accident was degraded aircraft performance due to the airframe ice accumulation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported icing conditions and ice accumulation on the windshield during a visual approach. After three attempts to land, the aircraft stalled at 10 feet and touched down hard.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that the airplane encountered icing while flying in and out of clouds during a visual approach to an airport. Ice accumulated on the windshield, obscuring visibility. The pilot executed three approaches to the runway in an attempt to line up with the final approach path and clear ice from the windshield.

Sequence of Events

During the third approach, as the pilot flared to land, the co-pilot announced, "I have the flaps," and extended the flaps to the full position. Several seconds later, the airplane stalled at an altitude of 10 feet above the runway. The aircraft subsequently touched down hard on the runway surface.

Operational Context

The incident occurred during visual meteorological conditions, with the pilot managing icing conditions while attempting to land. The hard landing followed the stall, but no further details about aircraft damage or occupant injuries were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040220X00211. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.