# NTSB NYC90FA061: Cessna 208B, N4688B, Williston, VT, January 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1990, 21:00 local (Jan 30, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Williston, VT
- Location: 44.4376° N, 73.0682° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Williston, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4376&lon=-73.0682&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA061

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DE-ICE THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS DECISION TO MAKE THE TAKEOFF AT A WEIGHT THAT EXCEEDED BOTH THE MAXIMUM STRUCTURAL TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND THE REDUCED TAKEOFF WEIGHT ALLOWED FOR ICING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN AN INADEVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - wing - contamination
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO DEICE THE WINGS PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF AND OVERLOADED THE AIRPLANE BY 360 LBS STRUCTURALLY AND 1100 LBS FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS MODERATE SNOW FALLING AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS DESCRIBED AS LONG AND A WITNESS SAW THE WINGS ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES ONE MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, CRASHED AND BURNED. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND SNOW CONTAMINATION ON THE TOP OF ONE WING THAT DID NOT BURN AND THE TOP OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS AND ELEVATORS. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4688B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4688B-1992-06-24), registration cancelled 1992-06-24, S/N 208B0169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B
- Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208B0169
- Airframe hours: 371
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Business Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BTV, Burlington, runway 15, 7,807 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,110 total, 270 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 1 nm away

## 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 19900130002129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900130002129A), Jan 30, 1990: Cessna 208B, Burlington, VT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Over gross weight and not deiced after standing in heavy wet snow. Failed to climb on takeoff. Hit wires and trees.

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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