Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 17 February 2010
Aircraft Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Owner/operator: Grant Aviation
Registration Number: N207DR
Location: near Kwigillingok Airport, AK (KWK) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8
Component Affected: Right wingRight wing
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A Cessna 208B, N207DR, experienced significant damage during takeoff from Kwigillingok Airport, Alaska, resulting in a significant aerodynamic stall. The pilot initiated a maneuver to compensate for reduced power, leading to impact with terrain. The aircraft’s right wing sustained damage, requiring a major repair. The pilot chose to fly straight ahead for an extended distance to Kongiganak, Alaska, successfully landing without further difficulties. A Safety Board meteorologist determined the area was prone to icing conditions, including light snow showers, freezing fog, and surface temperatures below freezing.A Cessna 208B, N207DR, experienced significant damage during takeoff from Kwigillingok Airport, Alaska, resulting in a significant aerodynamic stall. The pilot initiated a maneuver to compensate for reduced power, leading to impact with terrain. The aircraft’s right wing sustained damage, requiring a major repair. The pilot chose to fly straight ahead for an extended distance to Kongiganak, Alaska, successfully landing without further difficulties. A Safety Board meteorologist determined the area was prone to icing conditions, including light snow showers, freezing fog, and surface temperatures below freezing.

Description

A Cessna 208B, N207DR, sustained substantial damage during impact with terrain following takeoff from Kwigillingok Airport, Alaska. The airline transport pilot and his seven passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Kipnuk, Alaska, and a company flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that the takeoff was normal, but at 200 feet above the ground and in a turn, he observed a reduction in power. He moved the emergency fuel control lever forward, and power was restored. Before the sink rate could be reversed, the airplane impacted the surface of a frozen lake, and the end of the right wing was bent up. The aileron was not damaged. For safety reasons, the pilot chose to fly straight ahead for 8 miles to Kongiganak, Alaska, where the flight landed without further difficulty. The right wing required a major repair to restore it to airworthy condition. A postaccident inspection disclosed no mechanical anomalies with the engine or its accessories, and the airplane was flown to its base after the wing was repaired without any engine problems noted. A weather study by a Safety Board meteorologist determined that the area was subject to light snow showers, freezing fog and mist, and surface temperatures below freezing, all conducive to wing/airframe icing. During an interview with Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, the pilot acknowledged seeing “a trace of ice” on the wings. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s decision to take off with ice-contaminated wings in freezing rain and mist, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.”

Primary Cause

Pilot’s decision to take off with ice-contaminated wings in freezing rain and mist, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.Pilot’s decision to take off with ice-contaminated wings in freezing rain and mist, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.

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