CTSB Recommends Curbing Caravan Flights

Citing its consistent problems in icing conditions the Canadian Transportation Safety Board recommended Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration do more to ensure the safety of Cessna Caravan flights and go beyond current recommendations calling for increased pilot training and requirements to fly out of moderate and severe icing conditions. The recommendation was prompted by the release of the final report on the October 2005 crash of a Cessna Caravan. After encountering icing shortly after takeoff, the pilot attempted to return to the airport, but crashed. The TSB said the main cause was icing despite the fact the aircraft was 288 pounds overweight. The move comes after protracted work by the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association in forestalling such action by the FAA by developing, with Cessna, a massive training effort for Caravan pilots. The new training program resulted from operating restrictions imposed by the FAA last spring.