What happened
During a night approach utilizing VOR navigation, the aircraft encountered difficult environmental conditions characterized by heavy fog and darkness. As the flight progressed into the short final phase of the approach, the crew activated the landing lights. This action, combined with the existing fog, created significant glare due to the presence of approximately three inches of smooth ice covering the runway and the surrounding airport grounds.
As a result of the intense glare and low visibility, the crew lost depth perception and visual contact with the ground. This loss of situational awareness led to a hard landing. The impact caused various levels of structural damage, specifically affecting the propeller, the engine mounting support, and the wing spar.
Findings
- The primary factor in the incident was the loss of depth perception and ground references caused by the activation of landing lights in foggy conditions.
- The presence of a thick layer of smooth ice on the runway contributed to intense light glare.
- All four occupants on board the aircraft escaped the incident without any injuries.