Cessna 208 accident near Frederick, Maryland, April 21, 2009
On April 21, 2009 at about 5:55 pm local time, a Cessna 208, registered N208JW, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Frederick, Maryland (Frederick Municipal airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the failure of one or more compressor turbine blades for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 21, 2009 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Frederick, Maryland · Frederick Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208 · all 208s on the register
- Registration
- N208JW · registry record · serial 20800166
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the landing roll, with the power lever at idle, the pilot heard a “pop,” followed by indications of the engine “spooling down.” He exited the runway and observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Thinking this was residual fuel, he “spooled the engine.” Realizing there was a fire, he called for assistance and shut off the fuel selectors and firewall shutoff valve. After the accident, a FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported extensive thermal damage to the fuselage sub-frame and evidence of an engine fire. Numerous engine turbine blades were found on the pavement adjacent to where the fire occurred. A disassembly and inspection of the engine revealed that one or more of the compressor turbine (CT) blades failed. The engine was overhauled about 6 hours prior to the accident. The CT blades were manufactured under the FAA Parts Manufacture Approval (PMA) program. Extreme heat damage obliterated the fracture surfaces of the blades, therefore the reason for the blade failure(s) could not be determined. A functional test of the fuel control unit (FCU) revealed the Sg (specific gravity) dome, high idle stop screw, and minimum flow stop were set above the recommended range, which would result in higher than normal fuel flow. The FCU adjustments appeared to be made after the overhaul, however it could not be determined when the adjustments occurred. Although the higher than normal fuel flow setting probably did not result in the CT blade failures, it could have exacerbated the thermal damage and fire.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during taxi (from runway) defining event
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during taxi (from runway)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,120 hours in all; 255 in this make and model; 138 in the last 90 days; 58 in the last 30 days; 18,530 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 27, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,056 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 15, 2009; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,300 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney Canada PT6A-114 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Greystoke Engineering INC
The flight
- Departed from: OKV Winchester VA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: FDK Frederick MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 5,220 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 5:38 pm from FDK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.