What happened
During the takeoff phase at Chicago-Palwaukee Airport, an aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall that led to a ground impact. Following the initial contact with the terrain, the plane continued into a greenhouse structure. The accident resulted in one fatality, involving the captain, while the copilot sustained minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several environmental and operational issues. At the time of the incident, there was significant snow accumulation on the aircraft, including ice buildup on the airframe and the windshield. The crew encountered difficult visibility conditions, with the pilot reporting an inability to see clearly due to the weather.
Several contributing factors were noted during the sequence of events:
- The crew utilized a runway that was incorrect for the prevailing wind conditions
- The takeoff was aborted by the copilot after a premature liftoff attempt
- The aircraft failed to achieve or sustain the necessary flying speed
- Inadequate preflight preparation by the crew