Event ATL03LA046

Factual narrative

On February 17, 2003 at 1945 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N100DA, registered to and operated by a private pilot, reported severe in-flight icing and collided with terrain during approach to Moore-Murrell Airport, Morristown, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damage. The flight originated from Clearwater Airpark, Clearwater, Florida, on February 17, 2003 at 1600. According to the pilot, as the airplane descended from 8,100 feet it began to pick up structural ice. The flight was cleared to descend to 5,100 feet, and the airplane continued to collect structural ice. As the airplane descended the pilot added power to maintain altitude. While on final approach to runway 05 the airplane was unable to maintain altitude, and the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid buildings. The airplane collided with ground, and came to rest in an industrial park one mile southwest of the airport. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. According to the Saint Petersburg Flight Service Station, on February 17, 2003, the pilot of N100DA called at 1453 eastern standard time, to file two-instrument flight plans and receive a standard weather briefing. The specialist filed the flight plans in the Model 1 Full Capacity system (M1FC) and gave the weather briefing. During the briefing the specialist informed the pilot that an AIRMET ZULU for icing was in effect for the state of Tennessee, occasional moderate RIME, MIXED ICING below 12,000 feet, and the freezing level appears to be around 4500 feet. According to the pilot, as the flight descended from 8100 feet the airplane began to pick up structural ice. The flight was cleared to descend to 5100 feet, and the airplane continued to collect structural ice. As the airplane continued to descended the pilot added power to maintain altitude. While on final approach to runway 05 the airplane was unable to maintain altitude and collided with terrain. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. According to the Saint Petersburg Flight Service Station, the pilot was given a full weather briefing that reported icing conditions at the destination airport. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12