What happened
On 24 November 2002, a Glasair II S aircraft, registered N36GC, was involved in an accident on Marion Island. The pilot was conducting a solo-bipolar flight managed by Federation Aviation International, which had already progressed through legs from France to Niger and subsequently to Cape Town, South Africa. After a five-day delay in Cape Town due to weather, the pilot departed for Christchurch, New Zealand.
While navigating near 60° S and 10° E, the aircraft encountered severe icing conditions. The rapid accumulation of ice on the airframe significantly increased both weight and drag, forcing the pilot to descend toward the sea and utilize maximum power to maintain altitude. As the heavy ice buildup led to excessive fuel consumption, the pilot decided to divert to Marion Island. Lacking an official airstrip, the pilot utilized a landing area suggested by a weather team. During the landing attempt on the unprepared surface, the aircraft encountered soft mire, causing it to slow abruptly and nose over onto its back.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Records indicated that the N36GC had been properly maintained, with the most recent annual inspection completed in May 2002. At the time of the accident, the airframe had logged 1135.3 hours. The investigation also noted the meteorological conditions at the site, which included a 30-knot northwest wind and an overcast sky.
Findings
- The primary cause of the diversion was severe ice accumulation on the wings, which increased the aircraft's weight and drag.
- The resulting high fuel consumption necessitated an emergency landing due to low fuel reserves.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing process due to the soft terrain.
- The pilot sustained only minor injuries, including a bruised head and neck and shoulder pain.