What happened
During a training session in instrument meteorological conditions, a DA-20 Fan Jet Falcon was performing ILS approaches amidst low cloud cover and rime ice. The crew, consisting of a pilot-in-command acting as an instructor and a trainee first officer, was conducting the maneuvers. While the instructor managed radio communications, the trainee occupied the right seat. During the second approach attempt, the aircraft's airspeed dropped significantly, falling from 188 knots to 141 knots at the outer marker, and eventually down to 106 knots. At this point, the aircraft entered a sudden descent and struck trees approximately 1.57 nm from the runway approach end, where a fire occurred.
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was extended, but the trailing edge and drope leading edge flaps were in the retracted position. Additionally, the anti-ice valves for the engine cowl and wings were found in the closed position, matching the cockpit settings.
Findings
Analysis of radar data and flight simulations indicated that the aircraft's descent was preceded by a continuous loss of airspeed. Simulations replicating the radar profile—which included flight idle power and 1/4 inch of ice accumulation on the wings—showed the aircraft stalling roughly 2 miles from the runway end at 103 knots. A critical factor was that the engine power during the final two minutes of the approach was maintained at a level below the minimum required for the wing and engine anti-ice systems to function effectively. While the pilot-in-command possessed 1,100 hours in the aircraft type, the investigation noted a lack of documented multi-engine instruction experience for the instructor, and the trainee was the first student the instructor had processed through the company's second-in-command course.