2018 Beech 95-B55 Accident Near Liberal, Kansas (N4817M)

Accident Overview and Flight History On November 17, 2018, at 1657 central standard time, a Beech 95-B55 airplane, N4817M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Liberal, Kansas. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) in Colorado at approximately 1350, with Dodge City Regional Airport (DDC) in Kansas as its destination. The planned cruise altitude was 15,000 feet. During the flight, the pilot reported to air traffic control (ATC) that the aircraft had accumulated a significant amount of moderate rime ice. The pilot requested to climb to 8,000 feet to dissipate the ice but stated the aircraft was unable to climb. The pilot subsequently reported being at 3,500 feet under visual flight rules (VFR) and requested to proceed to Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL). The pilot later reported that he could not see out of the windshield due to ice. The aircraft impacted a power line and a field approximately 3 miles south of LBL.