Accident Sequence
The pilot of a cargo flight arrived at the airplane at 0515 and conducted a preflight inspection. The airplane was ready for departure around 0600, after which the pilot performed a final walk-around inspection. During the initial climb, at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet above the runway and an airspeed of about 120 knots, the airplane became "abnormally heavy on the flight controls" and "very unstable about its lateral axis (pitch control)." The pilot responded by reducing the throttle to idle and executing the rejected takeoff procedure. The airplane touched down in snow-covered grass approximately 85 feet off the left side of the runway. Upon touchdown, the landing gear collapsed and the fuselage buckled near the aft end of the cargo pod.
Post-Accident Examination
Photographs taken by airport personnel shortly after the accident revealed areas of frost present on the wings and empennage. Additionally, ice was observed on portions of the leading edges of the left and right wings. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions.
Weather and Manual Guidance
A weather observation taken at the departure airport around the time of the accident reported a temperature and dew point of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The Cessna 208B information manual, section 4, Normal Procedures, Cold Weather Operations, stated in part: "...Even small accumulations of frost, ice, or snow must be removed, particularly from wing, tail and all control surfaces to assure satisfactory flight performance and handling."