What happened
On a scheduled cargo mission from Nakina, Ontario, to Fort Hope, a Cessna 208B Caravan, registration 208B0389, experienced significant handling difficulties during its departure. During the takeoff roll on runway 09, the pilot configured the flaps to 20° and applied approximately 1,600 to 1,700 foot-pounds of torque. As the aircraft reached the latter portion of the runway, a rightward yaw developed. Although the pilot attempted to counteract this movement with left rudder, the yaw intensified as the nosewheel lifted.
Upon reaching an indicated airspeed of 85 knots, the aircraft became airborne, but the pilot could not stabilize the flight path despite using left aileron and rudder inputs. The aircraft briefly touched the runway again before continuing its ascent. Shortly after leaving the runway environment, the aircraft descended into a frozen lake located just beyond the airfield. The impact occurred while the plane was in a nose-high and right-wing-low orientation. The aircraft subsequently flipped and landed upside down roughly 1,000 feet past the runway end. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to reach the flight office on foot.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an uncontrollable rightward yaw during the takeoff phase that the pilot was unable to mitigate through manual flight controls.