Cargo Aircraft Stall and Crash Near Bergen (LN-PBC)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A single-engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight to Bergen when it crashed. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and 1,389 kilograms of newspapers. Following a night takeoff from runway 19, the aircraft was climbing in poor weather conditions at an altitude of about 390 meters when it stalled. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area located 1.5 kilometers from the airport. The pilot, who was the sole person on board, was killed. ## Official Probable Cause and Contributing Factors The official investigation determined that the accident was the consequence of a stall during the initial climb caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the wings and tail. The aircraft had not been deiced prior to departure. The investigation reported several contributing factors. The aircraft was outdoors for an estimated 20 minutes under conditions in which ice could adhere to the surface of the aircraft's hull, wings, and tail surfaces. The pilot did not de-ice the aircraft prior to departure. The operating company had not developed adequate written instructions for de-icing and had no written instructions to prevent icing during ground stay. The company also did not have sufficient equipment available, or conditions sufficiently organized, to prevent or remove ice accretion before departure from Gardermoen. The aircraft took off with ice on the surface of the wings and tail surfaces. This ice reduced the flight characteristics to such a degree that the pilot was unable to gain height after departure, resulting in the crash.