Narrative:
The Cessna departed Mathis Field (SJT) for a proficiency check flight. The airplane executed a few instrument approaches at Mathis Field and proceeded to Ducote Airpark. While on final approach at 100-200 feet the engine surged. Subsequently, the airplane's wings began to bank left and right.
The airplane entered a descent rate of 1,300 feet/minute (fpm) about 1,100 feet above the ground. This rate of descent was associated with a decrease in airspeed from 130 knots to 92 knots over a span of 30 seconds. The airplane's rate of descent leveled off at the 1,300-fpm rate for 45 seconds before
increasing to a 2,000 fpm descent rate. The true airspeed fluctuated between a low of 88 knots to 102 knots during the last 45 seconds of flight.
The Caravan contacted power lines and trees, and impacted the ground. Two of the witnesses reported that they observed between 1/4 and 1-inch of ice on the various protected and unprotected surfaces of the aircraft.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's failure to cycle the deice boots prior to conducting a simulated forced landing and their failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent loss of control. A contributing factor was the ice accumulation on the leading edges of the airfoils."
Loss of control
accident date: 24-01-2003
type: Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster
registration: N944FE
accident date: 24-01-2003
type: Cessna 208B Caravan I Super Cargomaster
registration: N944FE
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 24 January 2003 |
| Time: | 10:15 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster |
| Operating for: | Baron Aviation |
| Leased from: | FedEx |
| Registration: | N944FE |
| MSN: | 208B0044 |
| First flight: | 1987 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7503 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | San Angelo-Ducote Airpark, TX ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | San Angelo-Mathis Field, TX (SJT/KSJT), United States of America |
| San Angelo-Ducote Airpark, TX, United States of America |
The Cessna departed Mathis Field (SJT) for a proficiency check flight. The airplane executed a few instrument approaches at Mathis Field and proceeded to Ducote Airpark. While on final approach at 100-200 feet the engine surged. Subsequently, the airplane's wings began to bank left and right.
The airplane entered a descent rate of 1,300 feet/minute (fpm) about 1,100 feet above the ground. This rate of descent was associated with a decrease in airspeed from 130 knots to 92 knots over a span of 30 seconds. The airplane's rate of descent leveled off at the 1,300-fpm rate for 45 seconds before
increasing to a 2,000 fpm descent rate. The true airspeed fluctuated between a low of 88 knots to 102 knots during the last 45 seconds of flight.
The Caravan contacted power lines and trees, and impacted the ground. Two of the witnesses reported that they observed between 1/4 and 1-inch of ice on the various protected and unprotected surfaces of the aircraft.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's failure to cycle the deice boots prior to conducting a simulated forced landing and their failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent loss of control. A contributing factor was the ice accumulation on the leading edges of the airfoils."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
IcingLoss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
accident date: 24-01-2003
type: Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster
registration: N944FE
accident date: 24-01-2003
type: Cessna 208B Caravan I Super Cargomaster
registration: N944FE
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 San Angelo-Mathis Field, TX to San Angelo-Ducote Airpark, TX as the crow flies is 11 km (7 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
Distance from San Angelo-Mathis Field, TX to San Angelo-Ducote Airpark, TX as the crow flies is 11 km (7 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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