Beechcraft C90 N998VB

Summary

On 28 December 1996 at about 17:45 local time, a Beechcraft C90 registered N998VB was involved in an accident near Rhinelander, Wisconsin, United States. 10 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 December 1996 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Rhinelander, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

45.6296, -89.4107

Aircraft

Beechcraft C90

Registration

N998VB

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Moline → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97FA047

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation and continued flight into forecast severe icing conditions which exceeded the capabilty of the airplane's anti-ice/deice system. The icing conditions were a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

There were five recorded transmissions of conversations from one of the pilots aboard the accident airplane and the Fort Dodge, Iowa AFSS; one on 12/27 and four on 12/28. The weather forecast for icing included wording such as '...moderate to isolated severe icing from seven thousand downward for your entire route of flight....' The pilot stated that he received 'Full Flight Service briefings...' and also indicated that he spoke to flight watch prior to takeoff. While executing the ILS approach to the destination airport, the pilot was unable to maintain the proper glidepath even with the application of full power. The pilot maintained marginal control of the airplane during the descent until impact with trees and the terrain about 10 miles west of the destination airport. The pilot and passengers reported 'vibration' and 'shudder' of the airplane prior to the impact. One passenger reported that she saw ice forming on the left 'rear' wings. Persons on the ground reported severe icing conditions around the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.