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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 6, 1999 · Cessna 208B · N5187B

Bethel, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bethel, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N5187B
Operator
Arctic Circle Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC00LA017

The certificated airline transport pilot, with one pilot-rated passenger aboard, was departing runway 36 on a scheduled commuter flight. The pilot said that about 100 feet above the runway, he retracted 10 degrees of flaps. He added that as the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above the runway, he retracted the remaining 10 degrees of flaps, and the airplane descended while rolling to the left. The pilot stated that he had to apply full right aileron to keep the airplane upright. He said full power was already applied to the engine, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane landed on the runway, about 200 feet from the runway threshold, and continued off the end of the runway, into snow-covered terrain. The pilot stated that during his preflight inspection, he removed an accumulation of ice and snow from the wings and empennage. Due to scheduling delays, the flight did not depart until about 2 hours after the initial preflight. The pilot said that prior to departure, he did not recheck for any additional frost accumulation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the propeller, fuselage, and wings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight and his failure to remove snow and airframe ice from the airplane.

Full Narrative

On December 6, 1999, about 0958 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 208B airplane, N5187B, sustained substantial damage after colliding with snow-covered terrain during takeoff from the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The flight was being conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 135, as a scheduled commuter flight, operated by Arctic Circle Air, Inc., as Flight 30. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the sole pilot-rated passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect for the flight to Marshall, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on December 6, the pilot reported that he arrived at the airport about 0800, and performed a preflight inspection of the accident airplane. He said that the airplane had been parked outside all night, and added that the wings, horizontal stabilizer, elevators, and windscreen had a "noticeable amount of frost on them." The pilot reported that he used a broom, while standing of a ladder, to remove an accumulation of frost, and light snow. He then returned to the hanger to wait for the load of cargo to arrive. He said that due to scheduling delays, the cargo did not arrive at the airport until about 0850, at which time the cargo was loaded, and the pilot prepared for departure. He said that before departure, he did not recheck the wings or flight control surfaces for any additional frost accumulation. The pilot reported that while departing runway 36, about 100 feet above the runway, he retracted 10 degrees of flaps. He added that as the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above the runway, he retracted the remaining 10 degrees of flaps, and the airplane descended while rolling to the left. The pilot stated that he had to apply full right aileron to keep the airplane upright. He said full power was already applied to the engine, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane landed on the runway, about 200 feet from the runway threshold, and continued off the end of the runway, into snow-covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the propeller, fuselage, and wings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:58 AKST
Nearest AirportBETHEL (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length6398 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN5187B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorArctic Circle Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-114A · Turboprop · 675
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-11 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data