What happened
On January 27, 2020, an Aeropro CZ A220, registration N214K, crashed near Grafton, West Virginia. The pilot, who had taken delivery of the newly assembled aircraft only four days prior, was killed in the accident.
The pilot had completed several training flights in the aircraft the day before the accident. On the morning of the flight, the pilot departed Shawnee Field Airport (1I3) in Bloomfield, Indiana, for a cross-country flight to his home in Massachusetts. Before departing, the pilot had indicated to a mechanic and a flight instructor that he intended to "scud run" to clear distance despite the presence of fog and low ceilings.
After a stop for fuel at North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), the pilot departed runway 21 under visual flight rules (VFR). ADS-B tracking data showed the aircraft climbed to approximately 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl) before the climb rate increased significantly. During the subsequent minutes, the aircraft's groundspeed slowed, and the flight path began to deviate. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of about 5,500 feet msl before performing a rapid, 180-degree descending left turn. The final data point placed the aircraft 0.25 nautical miles from the accident site.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, which was heavily fragmented and damaged by a postcrash fire. The engine and propeller showed heavy impact damage, but internal examination of the cylinders and carburetors revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The fuel shutoff valve was found in the on/open position. While the aircraft was equipped with a BRS Aerospace Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System, no remnants of the parachute could be identified at the scene.
Review of the aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) revealed that the airplane was not equipped with any anti-ice or de-ice equipment, including pitot heat. The POH also contained a specific warning against flight into instrument and icing conditions.
Meteorological analysis showed the aircraft likely entered an overcast cloud layer at 3,000 feet msl. Conditions at the time were conducive to the development of light-to-moderate rime airframe icing. The pilot had not filed a flight plan or requested a weather briefing on the day of the accident, though forecasts for the area had called for IFR conditions and moderate icing.