What happened
On the day of the accident, a Cessna 208B departed from an airport while the aircraft's surfaces were covered in ice. Prior to takeoff, observers noted the pilot manually chipping ice away from the airframe. Although several individuals at the departure location offered deicing services, the pilot declined the assistance. During the flight, the aircraft entered known severe icing conditions. The pilot subsequently reported that the accumulation of ice prevented the aircraft from maintaining its assigned altitude. The flight ended when the aircraft struck trees and the ground.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed thick ice fragments at the crash site, including a piece with a shape matching the leading edge of an airfoil. While the aircraft was equipped with de-ice boots on the wings, stabilizers, and struts, these components showed no evidence of malfunction prior to the impact. The primary factor in the accident was the departure of the aircraft with ice contamination into severe icing weather. This condition violated both Federal Aviation Regulations regarding ice removal and the manufacturer's operating handbook, which mandates avoiding flight into known icing environments.