Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Beech A36 Bonanza, N6650M, accident occurred December 11, 2018 near Hartford Municipal Airport (KHXF), Washington County, Wisconsin

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N6650M

Location: Hartford, WI
Accident Number: GAA19CA096
Date & Time: 12/11/2018, 1800 C ST
Registration: N6650M
Aircraft: Beech 36
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during an instrument flight rules night flight, he initiated an approach in instrument meteorological conditions. During the approach, he saw that rime ice had accumulated on the left wing. He continued the approach, extended the landing gear, and then configured the flaps for landing.

The pilot attempted to level off at 1,620 ft, although the minimum descent altitude was 1,600 ft, but the airplane stalled. He applied forward pressure on the yoke to lower the nose and applied full throttle. He recalled that the airplane was extremely slow to respond and that it was "flying on the ragged edge of stall." The airplane exited the clouds, and he could see the airport, but the airplane impacted a field about 2.4 nautical miles short of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain during landing in icing conditions.

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Capability exceeded (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Conducive to structural icing - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-IFR final approach
Structural icing
Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/31/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/22/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2158 hours (Total, all aircraft), 97 hours (Total, this make and model), 2102 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 110 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N6650M 
Model/Series: 36 A36
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: E-1518
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/07/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3545 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-B112B
Registered Owner: Hangar50 Llc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Hangar50 Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KETB, 884 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0015 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 58°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 80°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Kalamazoo, MS (AZO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR/IFR
Destination: Hartford, WI (HXF)
Type of Clearance: IFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1630 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Hartford Muni (HXF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1070 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 29
IFR Approach: RNAV
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.330278, -88.326111 (est)