# NTSB CEN09CA136: Beech 19, N6509T, Lafayette, IN, January 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 17, 2009, 19:30 local (Jan 18, 2009, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, IN - Coordinates: 40.403331, -86.939163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4033&lon=-86.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent encounter with icing conditions during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the lack of visibility during the landing due to an ice covered windscreen, and the structural ice that adversely affected the flight characteristics of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 19A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md?model=1151214), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 19A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=1151214), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 19A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md?model=1151214), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 19A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md?model=1151214), [All aircraft, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech 19A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151214), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the night flight, the pilot obtained a "full, low-level weather briefing" and filed an instrument flight rules flight plan. Shortly after departure, the pilot encountered icing conditions and began to experience a severe vibration in the aircraft flight controls at 5,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot elected to return to the departure airport. During the instrument approach to land, the airplane continued to accumulate ice on the airframe, and continued toward the terrain in a 1,500 feet per minute descent. At 1,750 feet msl, the airplane "broke out of the clouds with the windscreen completely covered with ice." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain approximately 40 feet short of the runway and skidded to a stop on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the airplane's systems and powerplant revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane's wings and windscreen had approximately 1 inch of ice on the respective surfaces. The pilot reported that icing conditions were not forecasted or reported prior to his flight. ## Factual narrative Prior to the night flight, the pilot obtained a "full, low-level weather briefing" and filed an instrument rules flight plan. Shortly after departure, the pilot encountered icing conditions and began to experience a severe vibration in the aircraft flight controls at 5,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot elected to return to the departure airport. During the instrument approach to land, the airplane continued to accumulate ice on the airframe, and continued toward the terrain in a 1,500 feet per minute descent. At 1,750 feet msl, the airplane "broke out of the clouds with the windscreen completely covered with ice." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the terrain approximately 40 feet short of the runway and skidded to a stop on the runway. Examination of the airplane's systems and powerplant revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane's wings and windscreen had approximately 1 inch of ice on the respective surfaces. The pilot reported that icing conditions were not forecast or reported prior to his flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6509T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6509T-2009-03-23), registration cancelled 2009-03-23, S/N MB-349, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 19 (A) - Registry model: [Beech 19A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-19a) (registry code 1151214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB-349 - Airframe hours: 5687.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brian A McMillen - Registered owner: Brian A McMillen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2008 - Departed: LAF, Lafayette, IN - Destination: SBN, South Bend, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LAF, Purdue University Airport, runway 23, 4,225 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 297 in this make and model, 264 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 250° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: LAF ## 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 20090117001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090117001439A), Jan 17, 2009: Beech 19A, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) On 01/17/2009 at approx 1905 hours N6509T piloted by a private pilot departed laf in visual meteorlogical conditions on and IFR flight plan. After… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.