1 fatality

1998-04-07: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (N868FE) — Federal Express - FedEx — Bismarck, United States of America

Bismarck, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 7, 1998, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration N868FE) operated by Federal Express - FedEx was involved in an aviation accident near Bismarck, United States of America during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were the icing conditions and the pilot's low level experience in this make and model of airplane. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781205275Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 208 on an instrument landing system approach in icing conditions lost control and crashed 1.6 miles from the runway, impacting left wing first. The pilot had limited experience in the aircraft type.

Introduction

A Cessna 208 aircraft operating on an instrument landing system approach encountered a loss of control while in instrument meteorological conditions with icing.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft was conducting the approach when control was lost. It subsequently impacted terrain 1.6 miles from the approach end of the runway. The left wing contacted the ground first, after which the aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest approximately 120 feet from the initial impact point.

Pilot Experience

The pilot had accumulated a total of 19 flight hours in Cessna 208 aircraft, of which 1.9 hours were flown in actual instrument meteorological conditions.

Probable Cause

The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the icing conditions and the pilot's low level of experience in this make and model of airplane.