Piper PA 28-181 N6780F accident near Rock Lake, North Dakota

Probable cause

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s failure to obtain weather briefings immediately before and during the flight and his continued flight into icing conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s loss of performance and the subsequent controlled descent into trees and terrain.

NTSB analysis

The noninstrument-rated private pilot obtained a computerized weather briefing about 9 hours before he departed on a night cross-country flight. At that time, neither ice nor low visibility conditions were forecast along his intended flight route. The pilot did not obtain any additional weather information before takeoff or while en route. Weather conditions at the time of departure were marginal visual meteorological conditions, and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were forecast along the route of flight. The weather conditions were also conducive to the accumulation of structural icing. The pilot reported that, about 2 hours into the flight, the airplane entered IMC. He stated that he looked out at the wing and saw that "frost" had started to build up. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot added power and focused on maintaining level flight at a safe airspeed as the airplane continued to descend until it impacted trees and the ground. The airplane came to rest on its left side in an ice-covered field and sustained substantial damage to both wings, all three landing gear, and the right horizontal stabilizer.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA074 for the full record.