What happened
At approximately 2258 UTC, an American-registered aircraft was performing an ILS approach to runway 16 at St. John's, Newfoundland, after departing from Bangor, Maine. During the descent, the pilot encountered moderate turbulence and clear ice began to accumulate on the windscreen. While the pilot attempted to level off at 2,100 feet, the aircraft continued to descend to 1,900 feet and struggled to regain altitude despite full power.
As the aircraft continued the approach, it maintained a 90-knot speed until approximately 100 feet above the decision height, at which point the aircraft experienced a sudden left roll of 30 to 45 degrees. After the pilot corrected the roll, a similar roll to the right occurred, followed by a nose drop that sent the aircraft into trees. The fuselage settled roughly 4,100 feet short of the runway threshold. The accident resulted in one serious injury and one minor injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's experience, and the prevailing weather. The aircraft was not equipped with deicing equipment for the wings, propellers, or windshield, and was not certified for flight in icing conditions. Post-impact inspections found ice approximately 1/4 inch thick on the horizontal stabilator.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's credentials and the weather information available. The pilot held a U.S. commercial license restricted to VFR operations, yet was conducting an IFR approach. Furthermore, the aircraft was carrying outdated aeronautical charts and lacked the required HF radio for transoceanic flight. While a SIGMET had warned of hazardous icing in the area, this information was not communicated to the pilot, nor was it included in the ATIS broadcast.