What happened
While en route to a scheduled arrival at IAD, the crew descended through a cloud layer and observed trace rime ice accumulating on the wing surfaces. During the approach phase, specifically just past the outer marker, the left engine suffered a loss of power, followed shortly by a failure in the right engine. Despite having activated pitot and stall avoidance system heat, the captain did not engage the engine inlet anti-ice systems.
The pilot managed to perform an emergency landing in an open field. During the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft's landing gear collapsed due to the terrain conditions. Post-accident inspections at the Garrett facility confirmed that both engines remained functional after a run-up.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed ice accumulation beneath the right wing that matched the leading edge curvature. Additionally, a conical piece of ice was discovered along the debris path that corresponded to the shape of the propeller spinner nose. The investigation identified improper use of engine anti-ice systems by the pilot in command as a primary factor, noting that the crew failed to follow flight manual protocols regarding continuous engine heat and ignition after exiting icing conditions. Other contributing factors included inadequate training and management oversight regarding airman certification.