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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

January 30, 1990 · Cessna 208B · N4688B

Williston, VT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 30, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Williston, VT
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N4688B
Operator
Business Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90FA061

THE PILOT FAILED TO DEICE THE WINGS PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF AND OVERLOADED THE AIRPLANE BY 360 LBS STRUCTURALLY AND 1100 LBS FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS MODERATE SNOW FALLING AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS DESCRIBED AS LONG AND A WITNESS SAW THE WINGS ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES ONE MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, CRASHED AND BURNED. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND SNOW CONTAMINATION ON THE TOP OF ONE WING THAT DID NOT BURN AND THE TOP OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS AND ELEVATORS. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DE-ICE THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS DECISION TO MAKE THE TAKEOFF AT A WEIGHT THAT EXCEEDED BOTH THE MAXIMUM STRUCTURAL TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND THE REDUCED TAKEOFF WEIGHT ALLOWED FOR ICING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN AN INADEVERTENT STALL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT FAILED TO DEICE THE WINGS PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF AND OVERLOADED THE AIRPLANE BY 360 LBS STRUCTURALLY AND 1100 LBS FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS MODERATE SNOW FALLING AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS DESCRIBED AS LONG AND A WITNESS SAW THE WINGS ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES ONE MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, CRASHED AND BURNED. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND SNOW CONTAMINATION ON THE TOP OF ONE WING THAT DID NOT BURN AND THE TOP OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS AND ELEVATORS. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 EST
Nearest AirportBurlington (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length7807 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN4688B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBusiness Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-114 · Turboprop · 600
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 6 kt
Ceiling1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data