N3298ZPiper PA-18 · 1959

On January 19, 2019, about 1315 central standard time, a Piper PA-28 airplane, N3298Z, owned by a private individual impacted a frozen lake near Iron Mountain, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated at Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain, Michigan.

According to the pilot's statement, he had an uneventful sight-seeing flight and intended to return to IMT. He initiated a left-hand turn about 800ft above ground level, over Fumee Lake, Michigan, and became distracted while focusing on a distant point across the frozen and snow covered lake. The pilot reported he lost reference to the horizon while continuing in a descending left turn and impacted the ground with the left wing, main gear and right wing. The pilot indicated on his accident report that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

At 1254, the IMT automated surface observation system, located 6 miles west of the accident site, reported the following weather conditions: winds 020º at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, ceiling overcast 3,500 ft, temperature -11ºC, dew point -18ºC, and altimeter 30.19 inches of mercury.