Narrative:The Cessna 208B, N950FE, impacted terrain during landing at the Roswell International Air Center Airport, New Mexico, USA. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane received substantial damage.
The pilot reported that he encountered inflight icing and solid IMC conditions for most of the flight and due to airplane performance was unable to climb above 8,500 feet mean sea level.
During the approach the pilot received vectors and altitude changes by the controller; the controller issued a clearance to 4,900 feet; the pilot acknowledged and stated that he didn't have much elevator control and thought that his controls were "almost frozen". In the post-accident interview the pilot added that he controlled his descent by adjusting power. He added that based on losing altitude, by using flaps during a climb, he elected not to use flaps on the approach; stating he never went below 100 knots on the approach.
About three miles from the runway the controller cleared the pilot down to 4,580 ft, and the pilot acknowledged the transmission. Two miles from the runway the controller reported he was "on course", and 4,280 ft was the recommended altitude.
The pilot was unable to identify the runway until too late for a normal descent to land. Rather than perform the missed approach procedures, he elected to turn left, for a circling approach to runway 35.
On the second landing attempt, before crossing the runway threshold, the airplane suddenly experienced an un-commanded roll to the left and the left wing and left aileron impacted terrain.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to compensate for icing on the airplane's wings and control surfaces during a circling approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 3 years and 10 months | Accident number: | CEN15LA091 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Icing
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos
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 Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, TX to Roswell International Air Center Airport, NM as the crow flies is 253 km (158 miles).
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.