Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's high flare. Factors were the icing weather condition and the airframe ice.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
In her written statement, the pilot reported that there was 'slight trace ice' in the clouds. She flew a localizer approach. On short final, the airspeed was 'slightly (5knots) below blue line.' She 'felt buffet, yaw, flutter... added power.' The airplane 'yawed to the right with the addition of power.' She initiated a go around. The airplane began to 'buck and yaw uncontrollably.' She lowered the pitch attitude, raised the landing gear, and 'attempted flaps up.' The airplane settled on the south side of the runway in a snow bank. The pilot rated passenger stated that the pilot 'flared high' and 'over corrected.' He reported that the airplane 'rocked violently' up to 60 degrees of bank. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Photographs of the airplane, taken after the accident, exhibit a ridge of approximately 1/8 inch of rime ice on the upper portion of the wing and stabilizer leading edges.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 6, 1996, at 0700 central standard time, a Beech B55, N17732, operated by Midwest Surgical Services, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an aborted landing in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, business flight originated in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at 0615, with a planned destination of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. In her written statement, the pilot reported that there was "slight trace ice" in the clouds. She flew a localizer approach. On short final, the airspeed was "slightly (5knots) below blue line." She "felt buffet, yaw, flutter... added power." The airplane "yawed to the right with the addition of power." She initiated a go around. The airplane began to "buck and yaw uncontrollably." She lowered the pitch attitude, raised the landing gear, and "attempted flaps up." The airplane settled on the south side of the runway in a snow bank. The pilot rated passenger wrote "we picked up light ice on the descent. We made the decision to apply only approach flaps on descent due to ice on the tail. We crossed over the threshold of runway 31 a little high. As we approached to land, [the pilot] flared the airplane and we felt the buffeting of a stall. During a telephone interview conducted on March 18, 1997, he reported that the pilot "flared high" and "over corrected." He reported that the airplane "rocked violently" up to 60 degrees of bank. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the airplane reported no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Photographs of the airplane, taken after the accident, exhibit a ridge of approximately 1/8 inch of rime ice on the upper portion of the wing and stabilizer leading edges. The left side propeller blades were curled aft from midspan outboard. The right side propeller blades were curled aft at the tips and bent forward from midspan outboard. -