# NTSB CEN11CA309: Cessna 208B, N208TF, El Paso, TX, April 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2011, 19:00 local (Apr 27, 2011, 01:00 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Coordinates: 31.807222, -106.377502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8072&lon=-106.3775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Martinaire Aviation, LLC, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78985/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78985 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA309 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control as result of the gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot prepared for the evening cargo flight, the wind was reported as being strong and gusting. The pilot reported that he radioed the air traffic controller for his flight clearance and the current wind conditions. Since the wind was higher than previously reported, the pilot told the controller that he would wait before taxiing further. The pilot added that, after deciding to delay the flight and before he could shut down the airplane, a large gust of wind pushed the airplane’s nose left and lifted the left wing. The airplane’s propeller and right wing impacted the ground, bending the airplane’s right wing. At about the time of the accident the automated weather reporting station, located on the airport, reported the wind at 270 degrees at 36 knots gusting to 48 knots. ## Factual narrative As the commercial pilot prepared for the evening cargo flight, the winds were reported as being strong and gusting. The pilot reported that he radioed the control tower for his flight clearance and the current wind conditions. Since the wind was higher than previously reported, the pilot told the tower that he would wait, before taxing further. The pilot added that after deciding to delay the flight and before he could shut down the airplane, a large gust of wind pushed the airplane’s nose left and lifted the left wing. The airplane’s propeller and right wing impacted the ground, bending the airplane’s right wing. At 1851 the automated weather reporting station, located on the airport, reported the wind at 270 degrees at 36 knots gusting to 48 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N208TF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N208TF), registered now, S/N 208B0592, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0592 - Airframe hours: 10424 - Engines: P&W PT6A SER 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Martinaire Aviation, LLC, doing business as Martinaire - Registered owner: Priority Air Charter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, March 4, 2011 - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: LBB, Lubbock, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ELP, El Paso International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,979 total, 211 in this make and model, 1,945 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported - Wind: 270° at 36 knots, gusting 48 - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: KELP ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110426006319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110426006319A), Apr 26, 2011: Cessna 208B, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. On April 26, 2011 at 1858 MDT a Cessna 208, N208TF registered to aero leasing, was tipped over by a strong wind gust while awaiting taxi instructions at El… ## Other investigations on N208TF (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC02FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02FA020), Mar 6, 2002: Cessna 208B (N208TF), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident are fog, obscuration, and icing conditions. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78985. 540 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo: Accident aircraft on airport ramp (FAA supplied photo) (item 3, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Accident%20aircraft%20on%20airport%20ramp%20%20(FAA%20supplied%20photo)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.