A 2020 NTSB investigation revealed that pilots assumed flight in snow was safe as long as minimum ceiling and visibility requirements were met or that snow conditions were too dry or cold to pose an icing hazard. Pilots also assumed that snow conditions are safe to fly in as long as you can see through it — they did not consider the effects of icing, NTSB officials said, adding these assumptions can be deadly.
NTSB
Pilot loses control while landing on slush-covered runway
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll on the slush-covered runway.
Flight review ends with fire
The flight instructor’s inadequate communication with the pilot under review about his intention to simulate a single-engine failure and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack when the pilot did not respond as expected, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.
Landing on snow and slush covered runway ends in crash
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on the snow/slush-covered portion of the runway and the flight instructor’s improper decision to allow the student to make his first solo flight from a snow/slush-covered runway.
Pilot crashes after taking off in plane that he knew had rudder issues
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off after perceiving a rudder issue during taxi operations.
Low pass over snow-covered runway ends with upside down 172
The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper airspeed and descent rate while conducting a low pass over a snow-covered runway after encountering a downdraft and the flight instructor’s delayed action, which resulted in the wheels contacting the snow and the airplane nosing over.
Aborted landing ends with plane hitting trees
The rear seat pilot and the student pilot’s failure to see and avoid trees during initial climb following an aborted landing.
Attempt to hand prop RV-8 ends in fire
The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.
NTSB calls on FAA to issue AD for hazardous rudder posts on some older Pipers
The NTSB has asked the FAA to Issue an Airworthiness Directive that describes the safety risk associated with the continued use of some rudder posts made of 1025 carbon steel in some vintage PA-12s, PA-14s, and PA-18s.