Narrative:
Snow fell as the pilot attempted a takeoff from the snow-covered runway 23 at Waterville (WVL) for a cargo flight to Manchester (MHT) on behalf of UPS. The reported wind was 130 degrees from the right at 16, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot selected the runway, in part, because of a 1.2 percent downslope. The pilot rotated the nose of the airplane at 80 knots, and the airplane "pulled" to the left. The pilot lowered the nose and reduced power, but the airplane continued to "slide" to the left, off the runway, and into 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) of snow. It then nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a quartering tailwind."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 24 January 2002 |
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster |
| Operator: | Telford Aviation |
| Registration: | N8RQ |
| MSN: | 208B0363 |
| First flight: | 1993 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3151 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Waterville-Robert Lafleur Airport, ME (WVL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Waterville-Robert Lafleur Airport, ME (WVL/KWVL), United States of America |
| Manchester Municipal Airport, NH (MHT/KMHT), United States of America |
Snow fell as the pilot attempted a takeoff from the snow-covered runway 23 at Waterville (WVL) for a cargo flight to Manchester (MHT) on behalf of UPS. The reported wind was 130 degrees from the right at 16, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot selected the runway, in part, because of a 1.2 percent downslope. The pilot rotated the nose of the airplane at 80 knots, and the airplane "pulled" to the left. The pilot lowered the nose and reduced power, but the airplane continued to "slide" to the left, off the runway, and into 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) of snow. It then nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a quartering tailwind."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Runway excursion
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 Waterville-Robert Lafleur Airport, ME to Manchester Municipal Airport, NH as the crow flies is 226 km (141 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Waterville-Robert Lafleur Airport, ME to Manchester Municipal Airport, NH as the crow flies is 226 km (141 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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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