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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 23, 1990 · Cessna 172M · N9086H

Perham, ME

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Perham, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N9086H
Operator
Air National Guard Aero
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91FA034

THE PILOT WAS TOLD OF FORECAST ICING CONDITIONS DURING TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND MADE 2 VOR APPROACHS. DURING THE APPROACHES THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS AT THE SURFACE AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE. AFTER THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT REQUESTED VECTORS BACK TO HIS ORIGINATING AIRPORT. THE CONTROLLER SAID WHEN LAST SEEN ON RADAR, THE AIRPLANE HAD DESCENDED FROM 2000 FEET TO 1200 FEET IN ABOUT 8 SECONDS. WHEN FOUND THE AIRPLANE HAD LARGE SURFACE AREAS COVERED WITH 1/8' ICE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ICE ON THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT INITIATING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE EXISTING ICING CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS TOLD OF FORECAST ICING CONDITIONS DURING TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND MADE 2 VOR APPROACHS. DURING THE APPROACHES THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS AT THE SURFACE AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE. AFTER THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT REQUESTED VECTORS BACK TO HIS ORIGINATING AIRPORT. THE CONTROLLER SAID WHEN LAST SEEN ON RADAR, THE AIRPLANE HAD DESCENDED FROM 2000 FEET TO 1200 FEET IN ABOUT 8 SECONDS. WHEN FOUND THE AIRPLANE HAD LARGE SURFACE AREAS COVERED WITH 1/8' ICE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ICE ON THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:20 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN9086H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAir National Guard Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-F2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 13 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data