Aircraft Accident Involving Icing and Loss of Control Near Loch Tay (N64719)

Flight Progression and ATC Communications The aircraft's start-up, taxi, and take-off were apparently normal. The pilot received an IFR clearance for a noise abatement right turn-out on track towards the Talla VOR beacon. The pilot was later cleared to join controlled airspace on track towards Talla at FL 140, with an expectation of FL 200 when cleared by Scottish Radar. While climbing through FL 120, the Talla sector controller first cleared the pilot to climb to FL 140 and then almost immediately re-cleared him to climb to FL 200. The pilot replied, “ER NEGATIVE I WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN ONE FOUR ZERO FOR THE TIME BEING,” and the controller granted the request. At 16:21 hrs, the pilot transmitted, “SCOTTISH NOVEMBER SIX FOUR SEVEN ONE NINE ER REQUESTING HIGHER TO GET OUT OF SOME ICING.” The controller initially offered FL 160, but the pilot requested FL 200 if possible. The pilot was then cleared to climb to FL 205, the correct quadrantal cruising altitude. ## Radar Data and Loss of Control Recorded radar data showed that for the next six minutes, the aircraft's rate of climb and airspeed were erratic. At about 16:30 hrs, the pilot made a brief transmission of “SCOTTISH,” after which there was no further communication for another 20 seconds. The controller then said, “NOVEMBER SIX FOUR SEVEN ONE NINE ER I SEE YOU'RE IN THE TURN DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.” After no initial reply, the controller repeated the message and eventually received the reply, “YES I HAVE ER AN EMERGENCY.” The controller asked the pilot to “SQUAWK SEVEN SEVEN ZERO ZERO,” but the pilot replied, “HANG ON.” By this time, the aircraft was descending rapidly in a gentle right turn. The controller twice asked the pilot for the nature of the problem, but the pilot asked the controller to “HANG ON FOR A MOMENT.” The controller observed that the aircraft was near high ground and losing altitude rapidly, and twice passed messages to this effect, but did not receive an immediate reply. At 16:33 hrs, the pilot transmitted, “CAN YOU GET ME ER SOMEWHERE WHERE I CAN LAND I CAN'T MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AT ALL.” The controller instructed the pilot to take up an easterly heading and provided the aircraft's position relative to the airport at Perth. The controller then asked the pilot for his flight conditions twice, to which the pilot eventually replied, “I'M COMING OUT OF ER THE CLOUDS NOW,” followed by “JUST BREAKING OUT.” The controller then asked, “ROGER DO YOU HAVE ANY POWER AT ALL OR HAVE YOU LOST THE ENGINE.” The pilot replied, “I GOT POWER AGAIN BUT I HAVE NO CONTROL.” This was the pilot's last recorded RTF transmission, made at 16:34:40 hrs. ## Final Radar Return The final radar return placed the aircraft at an altitude of 3,150 feet overhead Drummond Hill, which is on the north bank of Loch Tay, near the village of Fortingall, and rises to 1,500 feet amsl.