Final Report: Ice cited in Caravan accident

Cessna 208B Caravan, San Angelo, Texas, Jan. 24, 2003–The NTSB said the Caravan crashed during a simulated forced landing because the flight crew failed to cycle the de-ice boots and failed to maintain adequate airspeed during the maneuver. A contributing factor was the ice accumulation on the airfoils’ leading edges. On a proficiency flight check, the Caravan stalled and hit a powerline and a dirt field, seriously injuring both pilots. Witnesses reported hearing the sound of an engine “surging.” They saw between a quarter-inch and one inch of ice on the airplane. The airplane was registered to FedEx and was operated by Baron Aviation Services, of Vichy, Mo.