Story ID: 5TsbReleasesReport07022012RPM
TSB Releases Report on Caravan Overrun
By: AIN Staff
Caption: 
Word Count: 301
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released details on June 24 of its investigation into the July 4, 2011 fatal crash of a Cessna Caravan 208B on takeoff from runway 33, the 3,000-foot gravel strip at the Pukatawagan Airport (CJR3), Pukatawagan, Manitoba.

The scheduled turboprop single was on takeoff roll but did not become airborne before the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot applied reverse propeller thrust and braking, but the aircraft overran the end of the runway and continued down an embankment into a ravine, where it caught fire. One passenger was fatally injured, but the pilot and seven others escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft was totally consumed by the fire. 

Passengers seated in the back of the cabin had difficulty opening the Caravan's aft exit door, but after several attempts they were successful escaping the wreckage. The passenger in the front right seat assisted the pilot, who was initially trapped in the seat. That same passenger also assisted the front-left-seat passenger, who was unconscious from a head injury. That passenger did not have his shoulder harness fastened during takeoff. The pilot and front-right-seat passenger attempted to extricate the unconscious passenger, but the fire progressed rapidly and the resulting heat and smoke forced them to leave the burning aircraft.

Weather at the time of the accident was high ceiling, good visibility and wind from the southwest at five knots. Previous rains are believed to have affected the condition of the gravel during the takeoff run. The pilot also commented that some passengers were not paying attention to his pre-takeoff safety briefing, although he did not call their attention to his concern.

The Caravan (C-FMCB) was registered to Beaver Air Services and operated by its general partner, Missinippi Management (Missinippi Airways).