What happened
During an ascent through moderate icing conditions, the aircraft was climbing toward an assigned altitude of 17,000 feet. Radar observations indicated that the airspeed fluctuated between 82 and 123 knots during the climb. The aircraft reached 13,500 feet before experiencing a brief descent to 13,300 feet, followed by a continued climb characterized by a sudden drop in airspeed. Upon reaching 13,700 feet, the airspeed fell to 60 knots, at which point the aircraft entered a steep descending turn and accelerated beyond its maximum operating speed.
Following the onset of the descent, the crew declared an emergency, reporting an engine failure. Shortly after this communication, radar contact was lost and the aircraft impacted the ground. Investigation of the wreckage revealed that components of the empennage had detached during flight and were located away from the primary crash site. Additionally, both elevator counterweights had separated from the control surfaces.
Findings
Environmental conditions at the time of the accident included low ceilings, fog, light rain, snow, and icing. While the crew reported an engine malfunction, post-crash inspections found no mechanical evidence of engine failure. The aircraft was operating at airspeeds significantly below the 140-knot minimum recommended for icing conditions. This low-speed operation likely increased the angle of attack, facilitating ice accumulation on the wings and behind the de-icing boots, which contributed to the loss of control.