Zone

Crash of a Cessna 560 Citation V in Eagle River: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1995 at 1443 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N991PC
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Des Moines - Eagle River
MSN:
560-0043
YOM:
1990
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
20500
Aircraft flight hours:
1572
Circumstances:
The airplane was circling to land on runway 22 after executing a VOR/DME approach. The airplane impacted the ground approximately one quarter mile northeast of the runway 22 threshold. The wreckage path covered a distance of approximately 350 feet. Control continuity was established. Airframe, engine and navaid examination revealed no abnormalities. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer leading edges had approximately one-eighth inch of rime ice adhering to their leading edges. Two witnesses reported seeing the airplane rolling from the left to the right. The Eagle River AWOS was not available on a VHF radio frequency, due to radio frequency congestion at the O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while executing the circling approach. Factors were the descent below minimum descent altitude, the fog, the low ceiling and the icing conditions.
Final Report: