Narrative:
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was destroyed when it crashed on takeoff from Pukatawagan Airport, MB (XPK), Canada. There were eight passengers on board and one pilot. One passenger was killed in the accident.
During the takeoff run on runway 33, the aircraft's airspeed indicator initially rose as the aircraft accelerated and its nose wheel lifted off the runway. The flaps were set to 20° and the engine produced rated power. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered several soft spots near the taxiway intersection. The pilot applied rearward pressure on the control yoke and one or both main wheels briefly lifted off the runway, but the airspeed stopped increasing and the aircraft did not remain airborne. The pilot rejected the takeoff with an estimated 600 feet of runway remaining. The pilot selected engine power to idle, reverse propeller thrust, and flaps to 0° to maximize braking traction. The aircraft continued past the end of runway 33. The aircraft was travelling at a relatively low speed but the pilot was unable to stop before the aircraft dropped off the steep slope and proceeded down an embankment before coming to rest in a ravine. As a result of the impact, the aircraft was damaged and its fuel system was compromised. A post-crash fire ensued.
The airplane was owned by Beaver Air Service, which flies under the name Missinippi Airways.
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors
1. Runway conditions, the pilot's takeoff technique, and possible shifting wind conditions combined to reduce the rate of the aircraft's acceleration during the takeoff roll and prevented it from attaining takeoff airspeed.
2. The pilot rejected the takeoff past the point from which a successful rejected takeoff could be completed within the available stopping distance.
3. The steep drop-off and sharp slope reversal at the end of Runway 33 contributed to the occupant injuries and fuel system damage that in turn caused the fire. This complicated passenger evacuation and prevented the rescue of the injured passenger.
4. The deceased passenger was not wearing the available shoulder harness. This contributed to the serious injuries received as a result of the impact when the aircraft reached the bottom of the ravine and ultimately to his death in the post-impact fire.
Runway excursion (overrun)
» CADORS nr.2011C2309
accident date: 04-07-2011
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
registration: C-FMCB
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 4 July 2011 |
| Time: | 16:15 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Grand Caravan |
| Operator: | Missinippi Airways |
| Registration: | C-FMCB |
| MSN: | 208B1114 |
| First flight: | 2005 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 8 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 9 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Pukatawagan Airport, MB (XPK) ( Canada)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 293 m (961 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Pukatawagan Airport, MB (XPK/ZCFG), Canada |
| The Pas/Grace Lake Airport, MB (YQD/CYQD), Canada |
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was destroyed when it crashed on takeoff from Pukatawagan Airport, MB (XPK), Canada. There were eight passengers on board and one pilot. One passenger was killed in the accident.
During the takeoff run on runway 33, the aircraft's airspeed indicator initially rose as the aircraft accelerated and its nose wheel lifted off the runway. The flaps were set to 20° and the engine produced rated power. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered several soft spots near the taxiway intersection. The pilot applied rearward pressure on the control yoke and one or both main wheels briefly lifted off the runway, but the airspeed stopped increasing and the aircraft did not remain airborne. The pilot rejected the takeoff with an estimated 600 feet of runway remaining. The pilot selected engine power to idle, reverse propeller thrust, and flaps to 0° to maximize braking traction. The aircraft continued past the end of runway 33. The aircraft was travelling at a relatively low speed but the pilot was unable to stop before the aircraft dropped off the steep slope and proceeded down an embankment before coming to rest in a ravine. As a result of the impact, the aircraft was damaged and its fuel system was compromised. A post-crash fire ensued.
The airplane was owned by Beaver Air Service, which flies under the name Missinippi Airways.
Probable Cause:
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors
1. Runway conditions, the pilot's takeoff technique, and possible shifting wind conditions combined to reduce the rate of the aircraft's acceleration during the takeoff roll and prevented it from attaining takeoff airspeed.
2. The pilot rejected the takeoff past the point from which a successful rejected takeoff could be completed within the available stopping distance.
3. The steep drop-off and sharp slope reversal at the end of Runway 33 contributed to the occupant injuries and fuel system damage that in turn caused the fire. This complicated passenger evacuation and prevented the rescue of the injured passenger.
4. The deceased passenger was not wearing the available shoulder harness. This contributed to the serious injuries received as a result of the impact when the aircraft reached the bottom of the ravine and ultimately to his death in the post-impact fire.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Rejected takeoffRunway excursion (overrun)
Sources:
» Transportation Safety Board probing Pukatawagan plane crash (CJOB)» CADORS nr.2011C2309
Follow-up / safety actions
The company has implemented a new short-field take-off procedure that follows the normal take-off procedure in the C208B POH. The company will also have more emphasis on short/soft field take-off/landing procedures in future ground schools for all aircraft types operated.
Photos
accident date: 04-07-2011
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
registration: C-FMCB
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Pukatawagan Airport, MB to The Pas/Grace Lake Airport, MB as the crow flies is 212 km (133 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Pukatawagan Airport, MB to The Pas/Grace Lake Airport, MB as the crow flies is 212 km (133 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
