Kasba Lake

Following an uneventful flight from Winnipeg, the crew completed the landing on runway 02/20, a 1,876 metres long clay/gravel runway. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on its nose for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the runway surface was irregular with potholes and water gouges due to the recent rains.

The airplane was chartered to move cargo from Hidden Bay, Saskatchewan, to Kasba Lake in the Northwest Territories. The aircraft and crew of four were on the return flight under visual flight rules (VFR) and were conducting an approach and landing to runway 36 at the Hidden Bay Airstrip, in a cross-wind from the right. The pilot flying was the first officer, who was in the right seat. After the landing gear and full flap were lowered, the aircraft’s speed was reduced to 100 knots. As the aircraft crossed the threshold, the crew heard a thump, and the aircraft skipped 40 to 50 feet and then touched down on the runway. As the weight of the aircraft came onto the landing gear, the right main gear unsafe light illuminated. The captain took control of the aircraft, completed the landing roll, and taxied to the parking area. During shutdown, fuel was seen leaking onto the right main gear assembly. The shutdown check was completed, and the aircraft was evacuated. All four crew members escaped unhurt and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.