Narrative:
A Cessna 208, N336DN, operated by North American Flight Services Inc., experienced a loss of engine power while climbing and performed a forced landing in Sheffield, MA. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and the commercial-rated pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Farmingdale-Republic Field, NY (FRG), destined for the Saratoga Springs-Saratoga County Airport, NY. The five passengers were employees of an industrial services company. The flight transported blasting caps and ammonium nitrate used for blasting operations, which were stored in a metal box inside the airplane.
The pilot reported that the airplane departed FRG at 1405, and he initiated a climb to 9,000 feet without any abnormalities. As the airplane was climbing, and at an altitude of about 8,500 feet, the pilot heard two "whooshing" sounds, about 5 seconds apart. The engine then began to experience torque fluctuations. Shortly thereafter, the engine torque dropped to idle, and the pilot heard a "loud bang" and felt a "burst vibration."
The pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and was told that the closest airport was located about 10 miles north, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The pilot informed air traffic control that the airplane would not be able to reach Great Barrington, and he subsequently performed a forced landing to a field.
During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a tree and separated. All occupants exited the airplane without injury; however, the airplane became fully engulfed in fire, which consumed the majority of the airplane.
This Cessna 208 was the first production Caravan.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A total loss of engine power due to a failure of the 1st stage sun gear output splines for unknown reasons, which resulted in a power turbine overspeed condition, with subsequent blade distress/release."
» NTSB Identification: ERA09LA523
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 15 September 2009 |
| Time: | 14:35 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208 Caravan I |
| Operator: | North American Flight Services |
| Registration: | N336DN |
| MSN: | 20800001 |
| First flight: | 1985 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10182 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Sheffield, MA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Farmingdale-Republic Field, NY (FRG/KFRG), United States of America |
| Saratoga Springs-Saratoga County Airport, NY, United States of America |
A Cessna 208, N336DN, operated by North American Flight Services Inc., experienced a loss of engine power while climbing and performed a forced landing in Sheffield, MA. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and the commercial-rated pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Farmingdale-Republic Field, NY (FRG), destined for the Saratoga Springs-Saratoga County Airport, NY. The five passengers were employees of an industrial services company. The flight transported blasting caps and ammonium nitrate used for blasting operations, which were stored in a metal box inside the airplane.
The pilot reported that the airplane departed FRG at 1405, and he initiated a climb to 9,000 feet without any abnormalities. As the airplane was climbing, and at an altitude of about 8,500 feet, the pilot heard two "whooshing" sounds, about 5 seconds apart. The engine then began to experience torque fluctuations. Shortly thereafter, the engine torque dropped to idle, and the pilot heard a "loud bang" and felt a "burst vibration."
The pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and was told that the closest airport was located about 10 miles north, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The pilot informed air traffic control that the airplane would not be able to reach Great Barrington, and he subsequently performed a forced landing to a field.
During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a tree and separated. All occupants exited the airplane without injury; however, the airplane became fully engulfed in fire, which consumed the majority of the airplane.
This Cessna 208 was the first production Caravan.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A total loss of engine power due to a failure of the 1st stage sun gear output splines for unknown reasons, which resulted in a power turbine overspeed condition, with subsequent blade distress/release."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Emergency landing
Sources:
» Saratoga-bound plane crashed in Berkshires (15-9-2009, The Saratogian)» NTSB Identification: ERA09LA523
Photos
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
accident date: 15-09-2009
type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
registration: N336DN
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 Farmingdale-Republic Field, NY to Saratoga Springs-Saratoga County Airport, NY as the crow flies is 259 km (162 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Farmingdale-Republic Field, NY to Saratoga Springs-Saratoga County Airport, NY as the crow flies is 259 km (162 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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