The pilot reported encountering freezing rain. The pilot requested and received a descent to a lower altitude to stay below the clouds. The airplanes airspeed continued to decrease and the pilot informed ATC that he wanted to divert to a nearby airport. The pilot made two low passes over the airport while trying to clear ice off the windshield; however, the windshields alcohol de-ice system could not keep up with the ice accumulation. The pilot had to look out of the side window during the landing and was unable to accurately judge his height in blowing snow against the light-colored concrete runway. A hard landing resulted; the right wing strut was bent and the wing was pushed into the fuselage.
January 3, 2009, Brainerd, Minn., Beech Model 58 Baron
The pilot reported encountering freezing rain. The pilot requested and received a descent to a lower altitude to stay below the clouds. The airplanes airspeed continued to decrease and the pilot informed ATC that he wanted to divert to a nearby airport. The pilot made two low passes over the airport while trying to clear ice off the windshield; however, the windshields alcohol de-ice system could not keep up with the ice accumulation.
Key Takeaways:
- The aircraft encountered freezing rain, leading to decreasing airspeed and an unsuccessful attempt by the de-ice system to clear the windshield, necessitating a diversion.
- Severe ice accumulation forced the pilot to look out the side window during landing, which was further complicated by blowing snow and a light-colored runway obscuring height judgment.
- A hard landing resulted in significant structural damage, including a bent right wing strut and the wing being pushed into the fuselage.
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