What happened
During a scheduled night cargo operation, the pilot proceeded with the flight despite receiving weather briefings that indicated known icing conditions. Prior to departure, ground personnel observed ice accumulation on the wings and recommended removal, but the pilot chose to depart without cleaning the aircraft. During the flight, approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic control that a de-ice boot had failed. The crew reported significant difficulty maintaining control of the aircraft type as the malfunctioning boot caused asymmetric behavior, requiring full right aileron input just to keep the wings level.
As the flight continued, the pilot reported a steady loss of altitude and noted that even with maximum aileron deflection, the aircraft could not prevent a left-hand turn. The aircraft eventually struck descending terrain while in a nose-down attitude with the left wing low. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the destruction of much of the airframe, including the left wing. Investigation of the wreckage showed engine propeller slash marks, indicating that the engines were producing power at the time of impact. Both occupants were killed in the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to maintenance and operational decisions. It was discovered that maintenance logs contained no records of de-ice boot repairs, replacements, or modifications for at least a decade. The investigation concluded that the total failure of the wing anti-ice/de-ice system was a primary factor. Additionally, the pilot's decision to fly into known severe icing conditions without performing ice removal was noted. Findings also highlighted inadequate maintenance inspections by company personnel and reported pressure from management regarding flying aircraft with existing discrepancies.