Pilot Heard Complaining About Icing

In what could have well been his last words, David Howard of Butler (PA) told ATC personnel at Pittsburgh International Airport Thursday night he was experiencing "icing conditions." That was just before his single-engine Cessna crashed into the crest of a snowy cornfield in Forward Township (PA).

A spokesman for the FAA regional office in New York City wouldn't talk about the pilot's last transmission, which came as Howard headed toward the Butler County Airport.

Examining The Evidence

The wreckage was moved to a hangar at the airport Friday for further examination by aircraft and engine manufacturers. Howard, who was flying alone, died in the crash.

Howard, a 50-year old Butler businessman, impacted the ground about 9:30 p.m. His body and the crumpled Cessna were discovered by searchers at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Howard was president of the C.W. Howard Insurance Agency in Butler. He joined the family business in 1977 and became president in 1992 after his father died.

Standard procedure at Butler calls for pilots to talk with Pittsburgh Approach as they get ready to land at Butler. Howard did just that as he approached the airport from Philadelphia. Don Bailey, county airport manager, said the weather was good Thursday night with visibility at 10 miles.

FMI: www.faa.gov