# NTSB DEN99LA036: Cessna 208B, N980FE, Cody, WY, February 3, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1999, 17:11 local (Feb 3, 1999, 00:11 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.509677, -109.049674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5097&lon=-109.0497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA036

## Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to unfavorable winds conditions.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose down, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot said that while he was taxiing out for takeoff on runway 22, he was monitoring the airport's Automatic Weather Observation Station (AWOS), and winds were reported to be gusting 34 to 36 knots.  While turning from northwest to northeast on the taxiways, the airplane's left wing lifted up and the airplane nosed down.  The AWOS wind report approximately 3 minutes after the accident was 250 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 43 knots.  The manufacturer's Information Manual for this airplane states that the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity is 20 knots (not a limitation).

## Factual narrative

On February 2, 1999, at 1711 mountain standard time, a Cessna 208B, N980FE, was substantially damaged when the airplane nosed down during taxi for takeoff at Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody, Wyoming.  The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was being operated by Corporate Air of Billings, Montana, dba Federal Express Corporation under Title 14 CFR Part 135.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country cargo flight which was taxiing for departure at the time of the accident.  A company VFR flight plan had been filed with the destination of Riverton, Wyoming.

FAA records indicated that the pilot got a weather briefing at 1521, and the winds were 250 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 38 knots.  The pilot reported that taxied out for a departure on runway 22 at approximately 1708.  The pilot said that as he was taxiing out, he was monitoring the airport's Automatic Weather Observation Station (AWOS), and it was reporting the maximum wind velocity of 34 to 36 knots.  The pilot reported that as he turned the airplane from northwest to northeast, the wind lifted the airplane's left wing.  The airplane nosed down with its left main landing gear off the ground and the engine's propeller in the ground.  The right wing spar was bent.

The AWOS wind report at 1714 (approximately 3 minutes after the accident), was 250 degrees, at 27 knots gusting to 43 knots.  The manufacturer's Information Manual for this airplane states that the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity is 20 knots (not a limitation).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N980FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N980FE), registered now, S/N 208B0108, built 1988 (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 Canada PT6A-114A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-114a) (registry code 52257, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208B0108
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Corporate Air
- Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: COD
- Destination: RIW, RIVERTON, WY
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: COD, Yellowstone Regional, runway 22, 8,276 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,585 total, 730 in this make and model, 2,730 as pilot in command, 211 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 27 knots, gusting 43
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: COD

## 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 19990202015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990202015069A), Feb 2, 1999: Cessna 208B, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 2, 1999, at 1711 mountain standard time, a Cessna 208B, N980FE, was substantially damaged following a gust of wind which nosed the airplane…

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.

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