Overview
A Cessna 208A, operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) as a freight flight from Aspen, Colorado, to Denver, Colorado, crashed during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 36. The aircraft encountered icing conditions, entered a steep descent, and impacted terrain approximately three miles from the approach end of the runway. The investigation found no evidence of preimpact part failure.
Flight Details
The Cessna 208A was on a scheduled cargo flight. Moderate to heavy icing conditions had been forecast for the Denver area. While conducting the ILS approach to runway 36, the aircraft encountered icing conditions. Subsequently, it entered a steep descent and crashed about three miles from the approach end of the runway.
Weather Conditions
At 1950 hours Mountain Standard Time, the weather at the airport was reported as: 800 feet scattered cloud layer, 1000 feet broken cloud layer, visibility 4 miles with freezing drizzle and snow showers, temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 25 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions were consistent with the forecast moderate to heavy icing.
Investigation
The investigation did not find any preimpact part failure of the aircraft.