Cessna 208B N805TH

Summary

On 5 November 2003 at about 00:47 local time, a Cessna 208B registered N805TH, operated by AirNow, was involved in an incident near Bangor, Maine, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2003 at 00:47

Classification

Incident

Location

Bangor, Maine, United States

Nearest airport

Bangor International (BGR)

Coordinates

44.8075, -68.8281

Aircraft

Cessna 208B

Registration

N805TH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

AirNow

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Presque Isle → Manchester

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC04IA023

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inability to see through the windshield, which was obscured due to icing conditions. This resulted in the pilot's inadequate flare, and a subsequent hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the wing icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to departing on a night cargo flight, the pilot received a weather briefing that included forecast rain and snow, and occasional moderate rime and mixed icing in precipitation, and clouds, on his route of flight. While cruising in instrument meteorological conditions, the airplane encountered freezing rain. The pilot observed ice on the wing de-ice boots, and the windshield. He activated the airplane's anti-ice and de-ice equipment; however, the airplane continued to accumulate ice and the pilot diverted to another airport. The pilot reported that the airplane "felt sluggish" and that "ice had formed beyond the boots and onto the wing, but the de-ice boots were still active." He also reported that he conducted the approach with no forward visibility, and he looked out the side window to judge the distance above the runway. The pilot also stated that he did not use any flaps during the approach, and the airspeed was maintained at 110 knots. The pilot stated he did not have time to flare the airplane. The airplane landed hard, which resulted in damage to the landing gear and propeller. Examination of the airplane, which included the windshield de-ice system did not reveal any discrepancies. The airplane was equipped with a cargo pod and cargo pod boot. The pilot reported that the airplane's takeoff weight was 7,280 pounds. The airplane's maximum gross takeoff weight was 8,750 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.