Beech 36 N6650M accident near Hartford, Wisconsin

Probable cause

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.

NTSB 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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA096 for the full record.