Incident Details
On an instrument approach to Midland Airpark (MDD) near Midland, Texas, a commercial pilot flying a positioning flight under 14 CFR Part 91 experienced an accumulation of moderate to severe icing. The airplane, registered to and operated by Quality Lease Air Services LLC, originated from Wharton Regional Airport (ARM) in Wharton, Texas, at about 0626. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed.
The pilot obtained a weather briefing that forecasted light freezing drizzle along the proposed route and time of flight. During the approach, the pilot stated that he had all deicing equipment on and deployed the deice boots twice before reaching the final approach fix WAVOK.
Sequence of Events
The pilot initially used the autopilot to navigate to the fix JIBEM, then switched to heading mode toward WAVOK. An ATCT controller noticed the airplane appeared to be proceeding to JIBEM and informed the pilot, who responded that he was correcting and that there was a GPS issue. The controller canceled the approach clearance and issued a turn-and-climb clearance for another attempt. The pilot reported that his copilot's window iced up at that point.
After being vectored and cleared for a second approach, the controller advised that the airplane was about half a mile south of the course. The pilot acknowledged. The controller then provided heading and climb instructions for a missed approach and cleared the pilot to switch to an advisory frequency; the pilot replied "Good day."
Before reaching the final approach fix, the pilot had configured the aircraft with approach flaps and extended landing gear. He stated that this configuration remained unchanged—he did not retract gear or flaps. He descended to 3,300 feet and was just under the cloud deck looking for the runway.
According to the pilot's accident report, while accelerating throttles from halfway to three-quarters, he lost roll control. The airplane rolled approximately 90 degrees left. After disengaging the autopilot and applying right yoke, the aircraft slowly responded but then rolled 90 degrees right. The pilot countered left, but it rolled left again. He turned the yoke right and pulled back; the airplane rolled level, then the stall warning horn sounded seconds before impact.
The pilot stated he maintained a target airspeed of 120 knots on approach and 100 knots on final, but was near 80 knots during the 90° right bank.
Witnesses observed the airplane's wings "rocking." Others said it banked left then nosed down. The airplane struck a residential house about 1 mile from the approach end of runway 25, and a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot exited the airplane; no ground injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain the recommended airspeed for icing conditions and his subsequent loss of airplane control while flying the airplane under autopilot control in severe icing conditions, contrary to the airplane's handbook. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to divert from an area of severe icing. Also contributing to the accident was the lack of an advisory for potential hazardous icing conditions over the destination area.