Accident Overview
On December 6, 2009, at 1415 central standard time, a Beech V35 airplane, registration N108L, was substantially damaged during a landing at Dodge City Regional Airport (DDC), Dodge City, Kansas. The aircraft was operating under instrument meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight, operating under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan.
Flight History
The flight originated at Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE), Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a destination of Dalhart Municipal Airport (DHT), Dalhart, Texas. The pilot obtained a telephone weather briefing from flight service, filed an IFR flight plan, and checked weather information online prior to departure. During preflight inspection, the pilot verified that the pitot heat was functioning.
The pilot departed ANE under visual flight rules and climbed to 6,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). After approximately one and a half hours of flight, the pilot encountered IFR conditions, obtained an IFR clearance, and descended to 6,000 feet MSL. The pilot reported that the airspeed indicator stopped working, leading to a decision to divert to DDC, which was the nearest airport with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. While on the landing approach over the runway, the airplane "fell straight down" and landed hard.
Weather Information
Two AIRMETs ZULU (moderate icing) were in effect for the intended route of flight from 0845 to 1500. One indicated moderate icing below 15,000 feet MSL, and the other indicated moderate icing below 10,000 feet MSL. On the Safety Board Form 6120.1, the pilot marked Automated Report as the source of weather information, Telephone/Computer as the method of briefing, and Full for the briefing type. The pilot noted that an AIRMET for IFR conditions was in effect and stated he could not recall being briefed on the icing conditions. Investigators were unable to obtain a copy of the actual briefing to verify its content.
Aircraft Examination
The Beechcraft Bonanza V35 Pilot's Operating Handbook prohibits flight in icing conditions, with warnings in Sections II, IV, and X. Examination of the airplane revealed that all three landing gear had collapsed, both wing spars were bent, and the left main landing gear had penetrated the top of the left wing. Ice was observed on the aircraft surfaces and on the ground near the impact point. Post-accident inspection of the pitot heat system showed the pitot heat switch in the on position, but ice was found in the pitot tube. When electrical power was applied to the airplane, no heat was detected at the pitot tube. The pitot tube was removed and power was applied directly, but still no heat was detected. The airspeed indicator was examined and found to operate normally. No anomalies were found in other aircraft systems.