Flying the 208 in ice
 

Hello all,
Doing some research on in flight icing for the C208, wonder if anyone has any experiences or opinions that they would like to share............

none, but I've heard it's pretty scary.

Lots of frontal surface area and a system that doesn't seem to shed it too well...

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada Issues Safety Recommendations on Cessna 208 Series Aircraft Operating in Icing Conditions

TSB # A02/2006

(Gatineau, Quebec, January 31, 2006) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released Aviation Safety Recommendations following the fatal accident (A05C0187) that occurred in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on October 6, 2005 involving a Cessna 208 series aircraft.

A review of aircraft performance data and the occurrences involving the Cessna 208 aircraft type indicated that it is more significantly affected by atmospheric icing than some other types of Cessna turbopropeller aircraft certified for flight into known icing conditions. The manufacturer's data indicate that, with residual icing on exposed aircraft surfaces, the aircraft's cruising speed can decrease to a point approaching that of the stall speed. TSB investigators reviewed 19 occurrences from 1990 to 2005 involving Cessna 208A and 208B aircraft operating in airborne icing conditions. These occurrences resulted in 42 fatalities and 4 serious injuries.

This review has led the Board to recommend that the Department of Transport take action to restrict the dispatch of Canadian Cessna 208, 208A, and 208B aircraft into forecast icing meteorological conditions exceeding "light," and prohibit the continued operation in these conditions, until the airworthiness of the aircraft to operate in such conditions is demonstrated. The Board also recommends that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take action to revise the certification of these aircraft to prohibit flight into such conditions.






The Board also recommends that the Department of Transport and the FAA require that Cessna 208 operators maintain a minimum operating airspeed of 120 knots during icing conditions and exit icing conditions as soon as performance degradations prevent the aircraft from maintaining 120 knots.

Keep the speed up, and lots of ice-x from your mx dept..
Rofzu.

Thanks for that Rozfu,
I can tell you from exp. that the problem happens fast, doesnt have to be forecast, fly through a nasty little cell and you turn into a popsicle FAST.
Wait too long and the deice wont work sufficiently and then you are going down. The prop can give horrible vibrations as well, depending on the stats of the deice boots on them.
I am compiling info and appreciate input on all others who have had knowledge or experience with this.
Thanks !!!!!

C208 in Ice!!!
 

I flew the Caravan across the West Virginia mountains to CVG for many years and I can tell you don't ever let it get below 110 KIAS with a load of ice on it.:eek: Keep the boots clean and us Ice-ex. I knew some guys that sprayed Pam on the prop and the front of the pod. They said it worked great. you will feel the prop start to vibrate first and then wait for the temp probe to get about a half to three-quarters of an inch of ice before you pop the boots. I know of a couple of 208 icing related accidents and a factor was the A/C was loaded in a warm hanger then pulled out and immediately departed in icing conditions. Two on the same nite up around Plattsburg, NY. Other than stellar performance in Icing, it's a great airplane. Have fun!!!