The pilot reported that, during the preflight, it was snowing, and he wiped the snow that had accumulated on the wings of the Socata TBM 700 off “as best as he could.”
He added that, while taxiing to the runway, “snow was falling heavily,” and he observed “light accumulation of wet snow” on the wings.
During the takeoff roll, he observed the snow “sloughing off” the wings as the airspeed increased. Subsequently, during the climb to about 150′ above the ground, the airplane yawed to the left, and he attempted to recover using right aileron.
He reported that he “could see a stall forming,” so he lowered the nose and reduced power to idle.
The airplane hit the general aviation ramp at the airport in Bellingham, Washington, in a left-wing-down attitude and slid 500′ to 600′.
The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident Incident Report 6120.1 form that the airplane stalled, and he recommended “better deicing” before takeoff.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 27 minutes before the accident, the wind was 010° at 8 knots, 1/2-mile visibility, moderate snow, freezing fog, and sky condition broken at 500′ above ground level (agl) and overcast at 1,500′ agl. The airplane departed from Runway 16.
The FAA Aeronautical Information Manual stated, in part: “The presence of aircraft airframe icing during takeoff, typically caused by improper or no deicing of the aircraft being accomplished prior to flight has contributed to many recent accidents in turbine aircraft.”
The manual further stated, “Ensure that your aircraft’s lift-generating surfaces are COMPLETELY free of contamination before flight through a tactile (hands on) check of the critical surfaces when feasible. Even when otherwise permitted, operators should avoid smooth or polished frost on lift-generating surfaces as an acceptable preflight condition.”
FAA Advisory Circular, AC 135-17, stated in part: “Test data indicate that ice, snow, or frost formations having thickness and surface roughness similar to medium or course sandpaper on the leading edge and upper surfaces of a wing can reduce wing lift by as much as 30% and increase drag by 40%.”
Included in the public docket for this report is a copy of a service bulletin from the airplane manufacturer, which describes deicing and anti-icing ground procedures. It stated, in part: During conditions conducive to aeroplane icing during ground operations, takeoff shall not be attempted when ice, snow, slush or frost is present or adhering to the wings, propellers, control surfaces, engine inlets or other critical surfaces. This is known as the “Clean Aircraft Concept.” Any deposit of ice, snow or frost on the external surfaces may drastically affect its performance due to reduced aerodynamic lift and increased drag resulting from the disturbed airflow.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly deice the airplane before takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA158
This February 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
And we all pay higher insurance rates. Thank you.
Reduced power to idlw?
Where did he learn that?