No fatalities

Windshield Icing and Hard Landing During Instrument Approach

Madison, WI, United States

On December 21, 2010, a CESSNA 340A operated by WISCONSIN AVIATION INC was involved in an aviation accident near Madison, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During an instrument approach, the pilot encountered windshield icing and attempted a landing by looking out the side window. The airplane stalled at 15 feet and experienced a hard landing, buckling the forward fuselage. The de-ice fluid tank was found empty.

Incident Overview

The pilot reported that after two unsuccessful landing attempts at the original destination airport due to weather conditions, he decided to return to the departure airport. While conducting an instrument approach to the runway, the windshield became covered with ice. The de-ice system was unable to clear the windshield.

Approach and Landing

Unable to see through the windshield, the pilot attempted to land by looking out the left side window. At approximately 15 feet above the runway, the pilot observed that the airspeed was about 85 knots, and the airplane entered a stall. The pilot added engine power, but the airplane subsequently made a hard landing on the runway.

Post-Landing Examination

Examination of the airplane revealed that the forward fuselage was buckled. The de-ice fluid tank was found empty. No mechanical anomalies were identified with the airplane.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that he did not check the fluid level in the de-ice tank during the pre-flight inspection.

Contributing factors

Airspeed — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Dec 2010 CESSNA 340A accident near Madison, WI?

During an instrument approach, the pilot encountered windshield icing and attempted a landing by looking out the side window. The airplane stalled at 15 feet and experienced a hard landing, buckling the forward fuselage. The de-ice fluid tank was found empty.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Dec 2010 CESSNA 340A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Dec 2010 involved a CESSNA 340A, operated by WISCONSIN AVIATION INC, at Madison, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to check the de-ice fluid level prior to takeoff, which resulted in the failure of the de-ice system to clear the windshield of ice.