# NTSB BFO91FA031: Cessna 182F, N3529Y, Princeton, WV, March 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1991, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Princeton, WV
- Coordinates: 37.360466, -81.100166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3605&lon=-81.1002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN AIRFRAME ICING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - stall - encountered
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON AN ILS APPROACH WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED AIRFRAME ICING. THE PILOT WAS ADVISED EARLIER OF ICING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA, SO HE DELAYED HIS DESCENT TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO THE CONDITIONS. DURING THE APPROACH SOME OF HIS PASSENGERS NOTICED ICE ACCRETION ON THE AIRFRAME. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SOON AFTERWARDS, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH A SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF AIRSPEED, DESPITE THE ENGINE OPERATING THE ENTIRE TIME. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE CLOUDS OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK TWO HOUSES, COMING TO A STOP WHEN IT STRUCK THE SECOND HOUSE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3529Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3529Y-1991-08-05), registration cancelled 1991-08-05, S/N 18254429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F
- Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas O. Metcalfe, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thomas O. Metcalfe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC
- Destination: BLF, BLUEFIELD, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 5 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910314005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910314005379A), Mar 14, 1991: Cessna 182F, Bluefield, WV, Destroyed. Accumulated heavy icing on descent through clouds. Unable sustain. Flight crashed into houses. No deice equipment.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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