Gulfstream 695-A | N965BC

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did not operate the available known icing equipment properly, and allowed airframe ice to accumulate in flight. The pilot was very new to the aircraft and had received very little formal training prior to being allowed to operate it in solo flight. Due to the ice accumulation, the pilot likely applied full power and attempted to maintain ATC minimum vectoring altitude of 7400 MSL, thereby raising the pitch of the aircraft, and entering an aerodynamic stall. While the wreckage was found on a steep slope of terrain, it did not appear that the aircraft flew into it from a level flight condition, but rather spun in after entering a full aerodynamic stall.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft receive thorough education, training, and conditioning training as they transition to unfamiliar aircraft, and that pilots receive ample and healthy doses of dual instruction in aircraft regarding systems such as Anti-ice and De-ice. The DTSB recommends that all pilots increase placarded DMMS speeds by 20 knots while operating in cruise in icing conditions and carrying ice, and by the same amount to Vref while on approach in icing conditions and carrying ice.