Cessna 208B N208TF accident near El Paso, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control as result of the gusting wind.

NTSB 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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA309 for the full record.