On January 3, 2005, a Cessna 310J (registration N310RA) operated by Richard W. Alldredge was involved in an aviation accident near Davenport, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing with airframe ice, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and hard landing. Factors were the icing conditions and the airframe ice. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot encountered light mixed icing, used de-icing boots, then reduced power during landing flare, causing a stall at higher airspeed and hard landing.
Accident Narrative
The flight encountered light mixed icing during descent and remained in icing conditions for approximately 15 minutes. The pilot activated the de-icing boots during the encounter, cycling them for the last time while on the downwind leg for landing.
During the landing flare, the pilot reduced engine power over the threshold at about 15 feet above ground level. The airplane subsequently stalled at a higher-than-normal airspeed, resulting in a hard landing.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, the accident could have been prevented by maintaining power and airspeed until touchdown when operating an aircraft that has encountered icing conditions and retains some airframe ice.