Pilot Lost flight Instruments in the Mountainous area with Icing Conditions

Winter Weather and a Failing Instrument Picture

On 19 January 2016, a Cessna 172S travelling toward Phoenix Goodyear encountered a winter weather system over northern Arizona. Snow, low ceilings, gusty winds and moderate turbulence affected the area. The pilot was having difficulty maintaining the assigned heading and had entered instrument meteorological conditions.

Controllers Recognize the Problem

Phoenix TRACON controller Carlton Wickstrom was advised by Albuquerque Center that the pilot was struggling to maintain heading. Wickstrom offered Prescott as an alternative and began providing no-gyro vectors. The aircraft also descended below the assigned altitude, prompting a low-altitude alert.

A Team Effort Near Mountainous Terrain

Aaron Fones took over communications while Brian Bond and others supported the response. The controllers used radar information and questions about the aircraft’s instruments to keep the pilot oriented. The aircraft was ultimately pointed toward Prescott, where the tower reported it in sight and helped the pilot transition back to visual flight.

What the Record Does Not Prove

The official safety accounts establish difficulty maintaining heading and a problem with the aircraft’s instruments, but they do not identify a specific failed instrument as the sole cause. They also do not support claiming that ice physically blocked a particular pitot or static component. The published record is strongest on the weather, the instrument difficulty and the successful controller intervention.

Accident Facts

“Skyhawk 7ME, does it appear your instruments are working, ma’am?”

Sources

• NATCA — 2017 Archie League Medal of Safety Award recipients
• AOPA — Controllers recognized for saves
• Original video record —