What happened
On January 31, 2005, at approximately 17:00 UTC, a Cessna 208B aircraft, registration SE-KYH, operated by Nord-Flyg AB, crashed on the airfield at Helsinki-Vantaa airport during a cargo flight to Sweden. The aircraft had arrived from Sweden earlier that day. Due to the co-pilot being ill, the flight was operated by a single pilot.
Prior to departure, the pilot attempted to remove accumulated snow and ice from the aircraft's upper surfaces using a brush. However, this method failed to clear frozen slush and ice from the wings, fuselage, and stabilizers. The flight, originally destined for Skavsta, was diverted to Örebro due to delays in cargo arrival. After taking off from runway 22L, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 800–1000 feet. Upon retracting the flaps, the aircraft lost control, entered a right-hand turn, and eventually struck the terrain between runways 22L and 22R. The aircraft was destroyed, though the pilot survived with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the physical condition of the wreckage, the pilot's pre-flight preparations, and the environmental conditions at the airport. Investigators determined that a layer of snow, ice, and frozen slush, measuring between 0.5 and 1.5 cm, remained on the upper wing surfaces and fuselage sides. The inquiry also reviewed the company's operational practices, the pilot's training, and the effectiveness of the airport's emergency response and search and rescue coordination.
Findings
- The primary cause was that the pilot performed a takeoff with an aircraft whose aerodynamic properties were significantly degraded by accumulated ice and snow.
- The retraction of the flaps caused the airflow to separate from the wing surface, inducing a stall.
- The pilot failed to recognize the stall and did not implement effective recovery techniques, such as restoring the flaps to the takeoff setting or using maximum engine power.
- The pilot's attempt to clear the aircraft using only a brush was insufficient for removing frozen moisture.
- Contributing factors included potential schedule pressure, the lack of a second crew member, and a lack of sufficient training regarding stalls during takeoff and flap retraction.
- Financial considerations may have influenced the decision not to request professional de-icing services.