SEA94FA060

During a night time cross country flight in reported icing conditions, the pilot reported to ATC that he was picking up ice and the engine was losing power. ATC attempted to maneuver the airplane to lower terrain, however, the pilot was unable to see the terrain for a reference and eventually dropped below radar contact. A witness observed the airplane flying along the edge of a lake and appeared to be maintaining altitude. The airplane then collided with the west side of a valley wall at the north end of the lake near a dam.

History of flight

On February 10, 1994, approximately 1825 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20K, N1093M, collided with mountainous terrain approximately 12 miles south of Applegate, Oregon. Visual and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed while en route. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight had departed from Red Bluff, California, on February 10, 1994, approximately 1700 for the personal flight.

The flight had originally taken off with a visual flight rules flight plan filed to Eugene, Oregon. While inflight, the pilot reported to Seattle Center that he would have to pick up an instrument clearance to Medford, Oregon. The flight was cleared direct to Medford at 12,000 feet. Approximately 20 minutes after the clearance, the pilot reported to Seattle Center that he was picking up ice and the engine was losing power. Communication with the flight and Center continued until radio and radar contact was lost.

A witness in the area was interviewed at the accident site on February 11, 1994. This person stated that she was travelling south on Applegate Road. Light snow was falling and it was very dark. This person noticed the airplane because of the flashing lights. The airplane was observed flying northbound along the east side of the lake. The tree line begins approximately 200 feet up from the water level, and the witness stated that the airplane was flying below the tree line. The witness then lost site of the airplane as the car travelled around a corner. The witness stated that the only visible lights in the area were from the three lights that are on the dam itself. The witness stated that she did not hear any engine noise because she was inside the car, but the airplane appeared to be flying in a level attitude and maintaining altitude as it maneuvered around the edge of the lake.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land with an instrument rating. The pilot's flight logbook indicates that the first logged flight in N1093M, was on March 17, 1991. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated a total flight time of 881 hours, with 479 hours in this make and model airplane. The flight logbook indicates that the pilot was receiving instrument flight training in N1093M, and attained the instrument rating on December 16, 1993. This rating also acted as a biennial flight review. The last night flight was logged on May 19, 1993.

Aircraft information

On August 4, 1993, the airplane was signed off for an annual inspection and determined to be in an airworthy condition. Family members reported that the pilot was preparing to sell the airplane and a pre-purchase inspection was performed at Reliant Aviation, Inc., Albany, Oregon, on January 23, 1994. Several discrepancies were noted at this time. The aircraft logbooks do not reflect that any repairs were performed after this date. A copy of the inspection is attached.

Meteorological information

The Airman's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Zulu, for icing and freezing, was in effect at the time the flight departed from Red Bluff and valid until 1800. The AIRMET reported light occasional moderate rime/mixed icing in the clouds and precipitation from 7,000 feet to 19,000 feet. There was isolated severe mixed icing in the clouds and precipitation in the southern third of Oregon, and the northern third of California. The AIRMET reported that the conditions continued beyond 1800 thru 0100 on February 11, 1994.

The AIRMET notifications continued for IFR conditions, mountain obscuration, turbulence and low level wind shear along the flight's entire route.

At 1751, Medford's surface observation reported 2,200 feet scattered, 3,100 feet scattered, measured 5,500 feet broken, 7,500 feet broken and 20,000 feet broken. Visibility was 15 miles and the temperature was 40 degrees. The wind was from ten degrees at six knots. The altimeter setting was 30.05" Hg. Cumulonimbus clouds were reported in all quadrants moving south, with visibility lower to the south.

At 1853, Medford's surface observation was still reporting several scattered and broken layers. The visibility had decreased to 10 miles and the temperature was 38 degrees. The cumulonimbus clouds were continuing their movement to the south- southwest.

Communications

On February 10, 1994, at 0845, the pilot requested and received an outlook briefing for Red Bluff, California and Eugene, Oregon, from the Hawthorne, California Flight Service Station (FSS).

At 1225, the pilot requested and received an abbreviated weather briefing from Hawthorne FSS. The briefing included the winds aloft and terminal forecasts. The pilot declined information regarding the AIRMETS.

At 1520, the pilot made initial contact with Stockton, California approach control. Approach control advised the pilot of a weather cell and vectors were issued for the flight to maneuver around the cell.

At 1536, the pilot was handed off to Sacramento approach control. At this time, the pilot amended his destination to Redding, California. The pilot then requested and changed frequency to Flight Watch. Flight Watch gave the pilot the current Convective Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) and weather. The pilot stated that he had the AIRMETs for his route of flight.

At 1622, the pilot amended his destination from Redding to Red Bluff, California and canceled air traffic services.

At 1644, the pilot entered the Red Bluff FSS and requested the Medford weather. The Specialist stated that he gave the pilot the current Medford weather and asked if the pilot wanted a standard weather briefing. The pilot replied "no thank you." The specialist stated to the pilot that there were currently reports of tornado and thunderstorm activity in the area, and that flight advisories reported icing, turbulence, mountain obscurement and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) along the route of flight. The Specialist stated that Visual Flight Rules (VFR) were not recommended. The pilot stated that he was aware of the weather conditions and would be talking to center en route.

The flight departed from Red Bluff approximately 1700.

At 1701, the pilot contacted Oakland Flight Watch to report that he was VFR, en route to Eugene and requested the cloud tops over the Siskiyous. The Specialist reported that the cloud top information was not available. The Specialist then advised the pilot on the current AIRMETs for the route of flight and stated that VFR flight was not recommended.

At 1711, the pilot reported that he was at 9,500 feet, north of Red Bluff, and requested VFR advisories. RADAR contact was established and advisories were given.

At 1713, the pilot requested a report of the cloud tops for the vicinity of Ft. Jones (Ft. Jones VOR is located 62 nautical miles northwest of Redding). The pilot advised that he was climbing to 16,500 feet. At 1715, the pilot was advised by the controller that the last reported tops for Ft. Jones were at 22,000 feet.

At 1717, the pilot advised the controller that he was diverting to a coastal route towards Crescent City, California, with the possibility of spending the night.

At 1722, the pilot was issued a frequency change to Seattle Center.

At 1723, the pilot made contact with Seattle Center and reported that he was VFR at 12,500 feet to Eugene.

At 1748, the pilot advised Seattle Center that he was "...going to try and make it into Medford." The pilot then requested vectors to Medford and that when he got closer to the weather, he would ask for an IFR clearance.

At 1751, the pilot was cleared direct to the Rogue Valley VOR and to maintain 12,000 feet.

At 1807, the pilot reported that "we're picking up a little ice here." The controller then