# NTSB WPR09CA067: Cessna 208B, N890FE, Rock Springs, WY, December 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 27, 2008, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, WY - Coordinates: 41.594165, -109.065002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5942&lon=-109.0650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSFO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73143/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator reported that the pilot taxied the high-wing airplane from the ramp along the parallel taxiway to the active runway (27) with a quartering tailwind. He reported that when the pilot initiated a turn to the right at the taxiway intersection, the airplane did not respond to the control inputs and continued straight ahead. The pilot applied full right brake and rudder; however, the airplane continued to track forward and exited the hard surface taxiway. The airplane continued off the taxiway and traveled an additional 80 feet through rough terrain before it came to rest in a nose-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Winds at the time of the accident were from 260 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 38 knots. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported with the control system or brakes. ## Factual narrative The operator reported that the pilot taxied the high-wing airplane from the ramp along the parallel taxiway to the active runway (27) with a quartering tailwind. He reported that when the pilot initiated a turn to the right at the taxiway intersection, the airplane did not respond to the control inputs and continued straight ahead. The pilot applied full right brake and rudder, however; the airplane continued to track forward and exited the hard surface taxiway. The airplane continued off the taxiway and traveled an additional 80 feet through rough terrain before it came to rest in a nosed down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Winds at the time of the accident were from 260 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 38 knots. No pre accident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported with the control system or brakes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N890FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N890FE), registered now, S/N 208B0219, built 1990 (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 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0219 - Airframe hours: 10062 - Engines: P&W PT6A SERIES 500 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Corporate Air - Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 13, 2008 - Departed: KRKS, Rock Springs, WY - Destination: KCRP, Casper, WY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KRKS, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County, runway 27, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,255 total, 112 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 27 knots, gusting 38 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 3 °F - Observed at: KRKS, 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 20081227853769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081227853769A), Dec 27, 2008: Cessna 208B, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. Aircraft taxiied eastbound on alpha taxiway (parallel) to approach end rwy 27. Strong wind gust raised right wing. Aircraft departed taxiway to the left… 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.