Wrong Surface: Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster, N706FX: accident occurred March 05, 2020 at Rhinelander–Oneida County Airport (KRHI), Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

https://registry.faa.gov/N706FX

Location: Rhinelander, WI
Accident Number: CEN20CA119
Date & Time: 03/05/2020, 0815 CST
Registration: N706FX
Aircraft: Cessna 208
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Wrong surface or wrong airport
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, upon reaching the decision altitude on a GPS instrument approach, he saw the runway end identifier lights and continued the approach. Shortly after, the lights disappeared and then reappeared. He continued the approach and landing thinking the airplane was lined up with the runway by using the runway edge lights for reference. Upon touching down about 225 ft left of the runway, the airplane dug into snow and flipped over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and tail. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper decision to continue an instrument approach to landing following a loss of visual reference with the runway, which resulted in the airplane touching down left of the runway in snow and flipping over.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Personnel issues Perception - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Loss of visual reference

Landing-flare/touchdown Wrong surface or wrong airport (Defining event)

Landing-flare/touchdown Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/18/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/30/2020
Flight Time:  7245 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3684 hours (Total, this make and model), 6109 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 27 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N706FX
Model/Series:208 B 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1995
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 208B0426
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/21/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8752 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 64 Hours
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 11458 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A SER
Registered Owner: Federal Express Corporation
Rated Power: 675 hp
Operator: CSA Air, Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter Air Carrier (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRHI, 1624 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1332 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 186°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  0.75 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.69 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Blowing - Snow; No Obscuration
Departure Point: Milwaukee, WI (MKE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Rhinelander, WI (RHI)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Rhinelander-Oneida County (RHI)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1623 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Snow
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: Global Positioning System
Runway Length/Width: 6799 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 45.631389, -89.481944