Narrative:
Caravan N948FE was owned by Federal Express and operated by Corporate Air as Airspur Flight 8810 (CPT8810) when it departed Casper (CPR) at 07:44 for a cargo flight to Steamboat Springs. At 08:32, the pilot requested the VOR/DME-C instrument approach to the Steamboat Springs Airport (SBS) runway 32. The flight was cleared for the approach via the BQZ (Robert VORTAC) 280 degrees radial 9 DME fix. At 08:39, the pilot was advised that radar services were terminated and frequency change was approved. The pilot's acknowledgement of the clearance was the last radio contact with the flight. At 08:34 the Caravan impacted against the side of Emerald Mountain at an elevation of 7864 feet (2406 m). Airfield elevation is 6878 feet (2104 m).
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An inadvertent stall during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the pilot's attention being diverted by an abnormal indication, conditions conducive to airframe icing, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of operation (icing conditions) in aircraft make/model."
Icing
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 5 May 2001 |
| Time: | 08:58 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster |
| Operating for: | Corporate Air |
| Leased from: | FedEx |
| Registration: | N948FE |
| MSN: | 208B0052 |
| First flight: | 1987 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8690 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 4,8 km (3 mls) S of Steamboat Springs Airport, CO (SBS) ( United States of America)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 2406 m (7894 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Casper Airport, WY (CPR/KCPR), United States of America |
| Steamboat Springs Airport, CO (SBS/KSBS), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 8810 |
Caravan N948FE was owned by Federal Express and operated by Corporate Air as Airspur Flight 8810 (CPT8810) when it departed Casper (CPR) at 07:44 for a cargo flight to Steamboat Springs. At 08:32, the pilot requested the VOR/DME-C instrument approach to the Steamboat Springs Airport (SBS) runway 32. The flight was cleared for the approach via the BQZ (Robert VORTAC) 280 degrees radial 9 DME fix. At 08:39, the pilot was advised that radar services were terminated and frequency change was approved. The pilot's acknowledgement of the clearance was the last radio contact with the flight. At 08:34 the Caravan impacted against the side of Emerald Mountain at an elevation of 7864 feet (2406 m). Airfield elevation is 6878 feet (2104 m).
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An inadvertent stall during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the pilot's attention being diverted by an abnormal indication, conditions conducive to airframe icing, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of operation (icing conditions) in aircraft make/model."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Distraction in cockpitIcing
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Casper Airport, WY to Steamboat Springs Airport, CO as the crow flies is 266 km (166 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
Distance from Casper Airport, WY to Steamboat Springs Airport, CO as the crow flies is 266 km (166 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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