Incident ##
While approaching Dodge City Airport, the flight crew encountered marginal weather conditions. They decided to abort the landing and initiate a go-around. As the aircraft executed the go-around, it struck power cables, entered a stall, and crashed in an open field. The impact destroyed the aircraft and left all three occupants injured.
Weather Conditions ##
The weather at the time included fog, freezing rain, and sleet, producing icing conditions. Ice accumulated on the aircraft's windshield and airframe. The windshield deicer had been turned off after the crew established a visibility reference, but the windshield subsequently iced over completely, preventing continued flight.
Findings and Probable Cause ##
Investigators determined that the probable cause of the accident was the crew's failure to follow approved procedures during the IFR approach. Contributing factors included: improper in-flight decisions; ice on the windshield; airframe ice; exposure to icing conditions (sleet and freezing rain); disregard of good operating practice; fog; the windshield deicer being turned off after visibility reference was established; the windshield icing over; and the inability to continue the flight because of ice accumulation.