NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On November 8, 2002, at approximately 1020 mountain standard time, a Cessna 208B, N514DB, operated by Brown County Financial Services, LLC, of Snyder, Texas, was destroyed when it departed controlled flight and impacted terrain approximately 3 miles south of Parks, Arizona. The commercial pilot, a private pilot-rated passenger, and two other passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Midland, Texas, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at 0819 Pacific standard time.

At 0844, the pilot contacted the Fort Worth, Texas, Automated Flight Service Station (FTW FSS) to file an instrument flight rules flight plan. The pilot told the briefer that he planned to depart Las Vegas at 0900 and cruise at 12,000 feet. The route of flight was planned to proceed via Peach Springs, Flagstaff, and Winslow, Arizona; Zuni, Albuquerque, Corona, and Roswell/Chisum, New Mexico, and end at Midland, Texas. The pilot told the briefer he planned for 4 hours en route, with 6 hours of fuel on board. The pilot provided contact information and told the briefer there were four persons aboard.

As the briefer was entering the flight plan, he asked the pilot if he got his weather. The pilot replied, "just a second ago." The pilot then asked about an airman's meteorological advisory (AIRMET) for icing. The briefer told the pilot an AIRMET was in effect for the pilot's route of flight, that included moderate mixed and rime icing from the freezing level up to 24,000 feet. The briefer added that the freezing level was forecast to be at 12,500 feet in Arizona and that it was dropping down to 10,500 feet further east. The briefer also gave the pilot advisories for scattered rain cells in New Mexico. The briefer advised the pilot of a significant meteorological advisory (SIGMET) for severe turbulence north of the his planned route, but cautioned that he may experience some turbulence as well. The pilot stated he was expecting it.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed Las Vegas, Nevada, at approximately 0919. The pilot received routine clearances, via his planned route, and climbed to a cruising altitude of 13,000 feet. At 1005, the pilot contacted ZAB and reported that he was level at 13,000 feet. At 1009, the pilot requested a climb to 15,000 feet. The ZAB controller approved the request.

At 1013:55, the pilot contacted the Albuquerque Automated Flight Service Station (ABQ FSS). The pilot reported to the Flight Watch (FW) specialist that he was approximately 23 miles west of Flagstaff at 15,000 feet, and that about 20 miles west of his position, at 13,000 feet, he encountered light mixed icing. The pilot requested any pilot reports (PIREP) from the FW specialist. FW reported that the only PIREP for icing that he had was from an airplane climbing out of Albuquerque (ABQ) westbound, who reported a trace of rime icing at 12,000. The pilot acknowledged and asked about the weather across New Mexico. FW advised the pilot to stand by while he gathered the reports.

At 1015:15, the pilot called ZAB and reported "getting...mixed...right...now, ."The pilot requested to climb to 17,000 feet. The transmission was partially blocked by other aircraft. At 1015:45, the pilot repeated the altitude request. At 1015:57, the controller cleared the airplane to 17,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged.

During the conversation between the pilot and ZAB, the FW specialist transmitted the weather reports for northern New Mexico and western Texas, advising that light rain was reported at Gallup, New Mexico, layered clouds near Roswell, New Mexico, and good VFR weather near Midland, Texas. At 1016:35, the FW specialist repeated the report of trace icing near ABQ and concluded the report with "mostly just aircraft getting light chop, over." The pilot did not reply.

At the same time ABQ FSS was sending the weather reports, ARTCC radar showed the airplane climb to 15,200 feet, then rapidly descend.

At 1017:00, the FW specialist advised the pilot to "check back when you get a chance, Flagstaff altimeter 30.11." At 1017:08, ABQ FSS received a broken transmission, "four delta bravo." The FW specialist said, "you[r transmission] broke up." There were no further transmissions from the airplane. Radar contact with the airplane was lost at 1017:20.

At 1019, the ZAB controller attempted contact N514DB with no results. The controller then requested another aircraft to monitor for an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal. No signal was identified.

A retired airline pilot who was near the accident site, said he heard engine noises that sounded similar to an airplane doing "aerobatics." Shortly thereafter, he saw the airplane emerge from the clouds pointed straight down and in a spin. The airplane disappeared behind trees. The witness said he heard it impact the ground.

A second witness, who was flying an air ambulance Cessna 208 in the vicinity, said he heard N514DB ask Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZAB) for clearance to 17,000 feet because he was "getting mixed ice." The witness stated that the person making the radio call from N514DB sounded "stressed," and that the transmissions were "garbled."

A third witness, a mechanic on the air ambulance Cessna 208, stated that he heard N514DB report that they were "getting ice." The witness said that the "pilot sounded scared." The witness also said that his pilot told him "the Cessna 208 is very susceptible to icing."

The airplane wreckage was located at approximately 1030.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, and multiengine land ratings, dated August 28, 2000. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, dated July 23, 2000.

The pilot held a first class airman medical certificate, dated January 7, 2002, with the limitation: "Holder must wear lenses that correct for distant vision."

According to the pilot's flight logbook, as of October 10, 2002, he had logged a total flight time of 1,880.2 hours in all aircraft, 1,187.1 hours as pilot-in-command, 428.7 hours as a flight instructor, 125.0 hours of actual instrument (3.0 hours in the last 30 days), and 76.9 hours in make and model (6.9 hours in the last 30 days). From June 24, 2002, to June 28, 2002, the pilot attended Flight Safety International, for Cessna 208 training. The pilot received 7.5 hours of simulator time, which included a 1.5 hour flight review on June 28, 2002. The last logbook entry, dated October 10, 2002, was a local flight lasting 3.7 hours. As of that date, the pilot had accumulated 87.0, 73.5, and 6.9 hours in the last 90, 60, and 30 days, respectively. An accurate account of flight time from October 10, 2002, to the date of the accident, was not determined.

According to FAA records, the pilot-rated passenger held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, dated November 22, 1987. He also held a third class airman medical certificate, dated April 8, 2002, with the limitation: "Holder shall wear corrective lenses."

According to pilot records, from June 24, 2002, to June 28, 2002, the pilot rated passenger attended Flight Safety International, for Cessna 208 training. He received 7.5 hours of simulator time. As of July 31, 2002, the pilot-rated passenger had accumulated a total flight time of 650.0 hours in all aircraft.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a Cessna model 208B Caravan (S/N 208B0971). The airplane was manufactured in July 2002 and delivered to the owner on August 1, 2002. The airplane was used for business and pleasure. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc., model PT6A-114A free turbine engine, (S/N PCE-PC0984), rated at 675 horsepower. The engine was equipped with a McCauley three-bladed propeller (S/N 020389), with blade serial numbers WB30005, WB30007, and WB30022. According to the manufacturer, the airplane accumulated 2.2 hours of flight time prior to delivery.

A custom interior was installed in the airplane on August 16, 2002. The airplane's calculated empty weight at that time was 5,531.00 pounds. Total airplane time was not determined. However, the pilot's logbook showed he had logged 76.9 hours in the airplane.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 0956, the reported weather conditions at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona (located approximately 16 nautical miles at 110 degrees from the accident site) were: wind, 230 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 27 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition, broken at 3,300 feet, overcast at 4,400 feet; temperature 43 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 27 degrees F, and an altimeter setting, of 30.11.

At 1056, the reported weather conditions were: winds 230 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered at 4,100 feet; temperature 43 degrees F; dew point 27 degrees F; and an altimeter setting of 30.10.

Pilots flying aircraft in the vicinity of Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Prescott, Arizona, reported broken and overcast skies with light rime to moderate rime icing between 7,500 feet and 17,000.

According to the National Weather Service, in-flight weather advisories for occasional moderate icing and occasional moderate turbulence were in effect for the accident area.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The National Transportation Safety Board on-scene investigation began on November 9, 2002, at 0805. The accident site was located in a wooded area immediately west of the north-south running asphalt covered forest service road (FS road 141), approximately 3 nautical miles south of Parks, Arizona. The accident site was on state forest land and the main impact point was located at a latitude and longitude of 35 degrees 13.511 minutes north, and 111 degrees 55.920 minutes west. An odor of aviation fuel was present at the impact point and proceeded approximately 160 feet along a 068-degree magnetic heading, across the road, and into a wooded area on the east side of the road. The impact point was located within a stand of three Ponderosa pine trees approximately 130 feet west of the asphalt road. The three pine trees formed a line, primarily northwest to southeast. There were no signs of a post-impact fire.

The southeastern-most tree, located 22 feet from the center tree, had a gash on its trunk approximately 14 feet up from the base. There was a 10-inch wide gash on the west side of the standing trunk, beginning approximately 18 inches below the fracture and extending downward approximately 3 feet in length. The top section of the tree was located approximately 5 feet east of the tree's base. The center tree showed numerous fractured branches. Many broken tree branches were located at its base. The south side of the center tree's trunk showed numerous gashes beginning approximately 14 feet up from its base and running downward to the ground. The northwestern-most tree in the stand was located approximately 14 feet from the center tree. It was broken approximately 10 feet up from its base. A 4-foot section of the tree's trunk and bark on the tree's east side was broken downward. Numerous broken tree branches were found in the vicinity of the tree. Several pieces of chopped tree branches were also located in the area between the tree and the center tree in the stand.

An impact crater was located at the base of the center tree. The impact crater was approximately 37 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches at its deepest point. A mound of soil was pushed upward at the north edge of the crater. The lip was approximately 8 inches high. A ground scar ran from the base of the center tree and lip of the impact crater toward the southeastern-most tree in the stand. The ground scar was approximately 7 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 5 inches at its deepest point, which was near the crater.

The majority of the airplane's main wreckage was located on the north side of the center tree. The airplane wreckage rested predominantly upright and was oriented on a 065-degree magnetic heading. The airplane's engine and propeller hub rested in the impact crater. The engine was oriented on a 065-degree magnetic heading. The propeller hub was buried in the north wall of the crater at a 60-degree downward angle. The propeller hub was broken open. Two of the three propeller blades were broken out at the cuffs. The propeller piston protruded through the front of the hub cylinder. The propeller blade that remained with the hub showed torsional bending, chord wise scratches across the chambered surface, and several nicks along the leading edge.

The airplane's cowling and forward fuselage was broken aft and fragmented to fuselage station (FS) 128.00. The airplane's engine mounts were broken aft and twisted counter-clockwise and outward. The firewall was broken out and bent forward about the aft section of the engine. The nose gear was bent and broken rearward. The wheel hub and tire remained intact. The front windscreen was broken out and fragmented. The glare shield was broken outward and fragmented. The instrument panel was broken aft and fragmented. Flight and engine instruments, radios, and control yokes were broken out. Numerous warning lights, instruments, and radios were located in and around the north side of the impact crater.

The airplane's cabin and baggage compartment were broken aft and opened from FS 154.00 to approximately FS 385.60. The cabin section pieces rested in the vicinity of the impact crater along its northeast edge. The left front seat remained with the cockpit wreckage. The right front seat and six passenger seats were separated from the cabin floor. All of the cabin windows were broken out and fragmented. The cabin window frames were bent aft and twisted outward. The bottom of the center fuselage section along with the cabin floor was split open along the airplane's keel. The cabin's interior walls and ceiling were broken aft and fragmented.

The cargo pod, beginning at FS 100.00 and running aft to FS 370.80, was broken out, crushed rearward, and fragmented. Sections of the cargo pod were located south of the two center trees. The main landing gear legs were broken aft.

The airplane's left wing was crushed rearward beginning at the root and running outward across its entire span. The inboard section of the wing, starting at wing station (WS) 33.50 and proceeding outward to WS 141.20, and the inboard portion of the left flap were crushed aft and broken open. The outer portion of the left flap was broken outward from the flap tracks and crushed aft. The center portion of the left wing from WS 141.20 to WS 228.50 was crushed aft, broken open and fragmented. The left wing was broken open and crushed aft. The smell of aviation fuel was present. The left wing strut was broken out at the wing attachment bolt. The outboard section of the left wing was crushed aft and broken open. The left wing tip was broken longitudinally and fragmented. The left aileron was broken out at the hinges.

The airplane's right wing was broken aft at the wing root (WS 35.00) and crushed aft and upward across its entire span. The leading edge was broken open from the root to WS 214.30. The forward spar and right wing strut were broken out. The bottom attachment fitting for the right wing strut remained attached at the fuselage. The right wing was broken open and crushed aft. The smell of aviation fuel was present. The outboard section of the right wing, beginning at WS 244.48, was flattened. The right wing tip was separated longitudinally from the wing. The right aileron was broken outward, crushed inward and buckled. The aileron was folded over onto the outer top surface of the right flap. The right flap was in the retracted position. The flap surface was buckled and bent aft.

The airplane's aft fuselage and empennage were bent upward and broken circumferentially starting at FS 384.85. The empennage rested inverted on top of the airplane's engine. The fin leading to

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper in flight planning/decision making, his flight into known icing conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in the inadvertent stall/spin and impact with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper pre-flight planning/preparation, the icing conditions, and the inadvertent stall/spin.