Appleton to Lincoln Flight 965 Accident (N650S)

Flight Details and Weather Encounter The aircraft departed Appleton, Wisconsin, at 1245 local time on a regular scheduled service, designated ZW965, bound for Lincoln, Nebraska, with an intermediate stop in Minneapolis. During the cruise phase at 12,000 feet, the crew encountered moderate turbulence and precipitation. Air traffic control subsequently cleared the aircraft to descend to 8,000 feet, and later to 6,000 feet. As the turbulence intensified, further descent clearances were issued to 4,000 feet and finally to 3,000 feet. ## Engine Failure and Crash Sequence While descending to 6,000 feet, massive water ingestion caused both engines to lose power simultaneously. Although the crew successfully restarted both engines, the aircraft was unable to recover. The plane struck a muddy field in a slight nose-down, right-wing-down attitude. It bounced and impacted the ground again 288 feet further on. The aircraft then skidded 1,022 feet before coming to rest inverted. No fire occurred following the crash. ## Casualties The accident resulted in the deaths of 13 occupants. Two passengers sustained serious injuries. ## Contributing Factors The investigation identified several contributing factors, including the flight crew's failure to utilize all available sources of weather information. The air traffic control system failed to disseminate critical weather information to controllers and the crew. Additionally, air traffic control supervisory personnel failed to accomplish key job functions, and Center Weather Service Unit meteorologists failed to disseminate critical weather information to Omaha Radar Approach Control Facility supervisors. Precipitation-induced X-band radar attenuation also limited the ability of the airborne weather radar to detect the extent and intensity of the weather disturbances.