Date & Time:
Jan 14, 1977 at 1831 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
C-GNTB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Prince Rupert – Terrace – Smithers – Prince George
MSN:
463
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
NT405
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
3
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
9
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
286
Aircraft flight hours:
1852
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off from Prince Rupert at 1654 PST enroute to Prince George with scheduled stops at Terrace and Smithers. At 0117 the pilot contacted Terrace Aeradio, said they were about 8 minutes away from the range and requested the weather. Terrace Aeradio issued the latest weather which indicated that the ceiling and visibility were below published minima for an approach and landing. At 0118 the Flight contacted Terrace Operations and advised that they would be overhead in 5 minutes and on the ramp 11 minutes later. At 0131 the Flight reported by the range inbound at which time a final wind check was given to the Flight and acknowledged. There was no further transmission from the aircraft. The Rescue co-ordination Centre was alerted at 0146 when it was evident the aircraft had no landed. A search was initiated and at 0515 the wreckage was found scattered along the eastern slope of Little Herman Mountain. The aircraft had crashed on the final approach track to the runway, 3 miles short of the threshold at latitude 54° 25' N longitude 128° 34' W. The airplane was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The ceiling and visibility were reported to be below published minima for landing when the approach was initiated.
- The Flight crew carried out a non-standard abbreviated approach.
- The Flight crew descended below the published minimum altitude of 1,620 feet MSL.
- The Captain was at the controls throughout the approach. The approach was continued below the authorized minimum altitude for undetermined reasons.
- The ceiling and visibility were reported to be below published minima for landing when the approach was initiated.
- The Flight crew carried out a non-standard abbreviated approach.
- The Flight crew descended below the published minimum altitude of 1,620 feet MSL.
- The Captain was at the controls throughout the approach. The approach was continued below the authorized minimum altitude for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:
C-GNTB.pdf3.98 MB
