Cessna 208B Grand Caravan – LV-WSC

Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 28 April 2001

Aircraft Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Owner/operator: Les Grands Jorasses

Registration Number: LV-WSC

Location: 12 km from Roque Prez, BA – ÿ Argentina

Phase of Flight: En route

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10

Component Affected: CessnaCessna

Investigating Agency: JIAACJIAAC

Category: Accident

On April 26, a chartered Caravan flight was scheduled to depart Estancia La Cristina, carrying the president of Techint and the managing editor of La Nacion newspaper. The flight was initially planned to fly to FL60, but was postponed to FL28 due to unforeseen circumstances. The aircraft was prepared for departure from San Fernando’s runway 24. The pilot requested permission to fly directly to the Pedadex waypoint and climb to FL080. After reaching that altitude, the pilot requested a further climb to FL100 to get out of the clouds. Following this, a climb to FL120 was requested to mitigate icing conditions. The pilot subsequently lost control, spiralling downwards and crashing in rugged farm country. Investigation revealed the incident was caused by conditions of ice formation in chosen flight levels, excessive aircraft weight, unfavorable cabin conditions, insufficient pilot rest, inadequate copiloto training, pressure to meet schedule, and a pilot’s idiosyncrasy.On April 26, a chartered Caravan flight was scheduled to depart Estancia La Cristina, carrying the president of Techint and the managing editor of La Nacion newspaper. The flight was initially planned to fly to FL60, but was postponed to FL28 due to unforeseen circumstances. The aircraft was prepared for departure from San Fernando’s runway 24. The pilot requested permission to fly directly to the Pedadex waypoint and climb to FL080. After reaching that altitude, the pilot requested a further climb to FL100 to get out of the clouds. Following this, a climb to FL120 was requested to mitigate icing conditions. The pilot subsequently lost control, spiralling downwards and crashing in rugged farm country. Investigation revealed the incident was caused by conditions of ice formation in chosen flight levels, excessive aircraft weight, unfavorable cabin conditions, insufficient pilot rest, inadequate copiloto training, pressure to meet schedule, and a pilot’s idiosyncrasy.

Description

The Caravan was chartered to fly a party of eight to Estancia La Cristina. Among the passengers were the president of the Techint company and the managing editor of the La Nacion newspaper. The flight was planned to depart April 26, but was postponed to the 28th. The airplane was hangared ready to depart. The flight finally departed early in the morning from San Fernando’s runway 24. Baires Control cleared the pilot to climb to FL60. After reaching that altitude the pilot requested permission to fly direct to the Padex waypoint and climb to FL 080. Permission was granted. At 04:54 the pilot requested another climb clearance for FL100 to get out of the clouds. This was allowed after conflicting traffic had crossed his path. Because icing conditions existed at that altitude, a further climb to FL120 was requested and obtained. The Cessna apparently lost control, spiralled down and crashed in rugged farm country. CAUSA: En un vuelo de traves¡a en condiciones nocturnas y por instrumentos, prdida de sustentaci¢n y ca¡da en espiral hacia la derecha hasta el impacto con el terreno, por los siguientes factores: 1ø) Condiciones de formaci¢n de hielo en los niveles de vuelo elegidos. 2ø) Exceso en el peso de operaci¢n de la aeronave. 3ø) Ambiente de cabina poco favorable para un vuelo nocturno, por instrumentos y en condiciones meteorol¢gicas desfavorables. 4§) Inadecuado descanso previo a un vuelo, por parte del piloto. 5ø) Capacidad limitada de la aeronave para operar en condiciones de formaci¢n de hielo, de acuerdo con lo establecido en el Manual de Vuelo. 6ø) La persona que actuaba como copiloto no estaba adiestrada ni ten¡a experiencia para un vuelo nocturno y por instrumentos en las condiciones meteorol¢gicas imperantes. 7ø) Presi¢n y prisa por cumplir con las actividades, con poco margen en los horarios planificados. 8ø) Idiosincrasia y car cter de los pasajeros, en particular el que se desempe¤aba en el puesto de copiloto.

Primary Cause

Conditions of ice formation in chosen flight levels, excessive aircraft weight, unfavorable cabin conditions, insufficient pilot rest, inadequate copiloto training, pressure to meet schedule, and a pilot’s idiosyncrasy.Conditions of ice formation in chosen flight levels, excessive aircraft weight, unfavorable cabin conditions, insufficient pilot rest, inadequate copiloto training, pressure to meet schedule, and a pilot’s idiosyncrasy.

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