What happened
On the morning of the accident, a positioning flight operated by Quality Lease Air Services LLC departed from Wharton Regional Airport, heading toward Midland Airpark. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) amidst weather conditions involving light freezing drizzle. During the approach to the destination, the aircraft was subjected to moderate to severe icing.
While navigating the approach, the pilot reported issues with the GPS and was instructed by air traffic control to execute a turning and climbing maneuver to prepare for a second approach attempt. During this period, the pilot noted that the cockpit windows were becoming obscured by ice. The aircraft was configured with landing gear extended and approach flaps deployed. As the pilot descended to approximately 3,300 feet to locate the runway beneath the cloud deck, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of roll control.
According to the pilot, increasing throttle caused the aircraft to bank 90 degrees to the left. Despite efforts to level the wings and maintain airspeed, the aircraft rolled 90 degrees to the right. The pilot noted the airspeed had dropped near 80 knots, and the stall warning horn activated shortly before the aircraft struck a residential home located about one mile from the approach end of runway 25. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire. The pilot sustained serious injuries but was able to exit the wreckage, and no injuries to persons on the ground were reported.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions with active icing.
- The aircraft experienced a significant loss of control and a subsequent stall during the final approach phase.