Saskatchewan

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Saskatoon – Prince Albert

MSN:

U-110

YOM:

1969

Flight number:

TW602

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, with two pilots and four passengers on board. The aircraft was approximately 4000 feet above sea level when the crew selected the flaps for the approach to Prince Albert. A bang was heard from the rear of the fuselage. The aircraft commenced an uncommanded pitch-up to a near-vertical attitude, then stalled, nosed over, and began a spin to the left. The crew countered the spin but the aircraft continued to descend in a near-vertical dive. Through the application of full-up elevator and the manipulation of power settings, the pilots were able to bring the aircraft to a near-horizontal attitude. The crew extended the landing gear and issued a Mayday call, indicating that they were conducting a forced landing. The aircraft struck a knoll, tearing away the belly cargo pod and the landing gear. The aircraft bounced into the air and travelled approximately 180 metres, then contacted a barbed-wire fence and slid to a stop approximately 600 metres from the initial impact point. The crew and passengers suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. All of the occupants exited through the main cabin door at the rear of the aircraft. The accident occurred during daylight hours at 1802 central standard time.

Probable cause:

Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. During flight, the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator worked free of the mounting structure, and as a result, the flight crew lost pitch control of the aircraft.
2. During replacement of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator, the upper attachment bolts were inserted through the airframe structure but did not pass through the upper mounting lugs of the
trim actuator.
3. The improperly installed bolts trapped the actuator mounting lug assemblies, suspending the weight of the actuator and giving the false impression that the bolts had been correctly installed.
4. Dual inspections, ground testing, and flight testing did not reveal the faulty attachment.
Findings as to Risk:
1. The nature of the installation presents a risk that qualified persons may inadvertently install Beech 99 and Beech 100 horizontal stabilizer trim actuators incorrectly. There are no published warnings to advise installers that there is a potential to install the actuator incorrectly.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Stony Rapids

Date & Time: Feb 27, 2000 at 2200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FATS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Schedule:

Edmonton - Stony Rapids

MSN:

31-7952072

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7850

Captain / Total hours on type:

1450.00

Circumstances:

The Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-350, serial number 31-7952072, departed Edmonton, Alberta, on an instrument flight rules charter flight to Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan, with one pilot and six passengers on board. The pilot conducted a non-directional beacon approach at night in Stony Rapids, followed by a missed approach. He then attempted and missed a second approach. At about 2200 central standard time, while manoeuvring to land on runway 06, the aircraft struck trees 3.5 nautical miles west of the runway 06 button and roughly one quarter nautical mile left of the runway centreline, at an altitude of 1200 feet above sea level. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but no fire ensued. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and the remaining five passengers sustained minor injuries. Canadian Forces search and rescue specialists were air-dropped to the site at 0300 and provided assistance to the pilot and passengers. Local ground search parties later assisted with the rescue.

Probable cause:

Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The pilot executed a missed approach on his first NDB approach, and, during the second missed approach, after momentarily seeing the runway, he decided to conduct a visual approach, descending below MDA in an attempt to fly under the cloud base.
2. In flying under the cloud base during the visual portion of his approach, the pilot likely perceived the horizon to be lower on the windscreen than it actually was.
3. There was no indication that there was any form of pressure from management to influence the pilot to land at the destination airport. However, the pilot may have chosen to land in Stony Rapids because he had an early flight the following day, and he did not have the keys for the accommodations in Fond-du-Lac.
Findings as to Risk:
1. No scale was available to the pilot in Edmonton for weighing aircraft loads.
2. The maximum allowable take-off weight of the aircraft was exceeded by about 115 pounds, and it is estimated that at the time of the crash, the aircraft was 225 pounds below maximum landing weight. The aircraft's centre of gravity was not within limits at the time of the crash.
3. The rear baggage area contained 300 pounds of baggage, 100 pounds more than the manufacturer's limitation.
4. Two screws were missing from each section of the broken seat track to which the anchor points were attached.
5. Cargo net anchorage system failure contributed to passenger injuries.
6. The stitching failed on the seat belt's outboard strap that was mounted on the right, middle, forward-facing cabin seat.
Other Findings:
1. Hand tools were required to access the ELT panel, since the cockpit remote switch could not be accessed.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Points North Landing

Date & Time: May 1, 1999

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Operator:

Registration:

C-FASV

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20000

Captain / Total hours on type:

6400.00

Circumstances:

The wheel-ski equipped de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, C-FASV, serial number 23, was engaged in flying road construction crews from base camps to work sites in northern Saskatchewan. A five-man crew was moved from a base camp to a small lake, about 22 nautical miles (nm) from Points North Landing, Saskatchewan, the company's main base. The drop-off was made in the morning with a pick-up planned for late afternoon. The pilot then flew back to Points North Landing and filled the aircraft's fuel tanks from the company's main fuel supply. When the pilot returned for the pick-up, the ambient temperature was about seven degrees Celsius, and there were between five and six inches of slush on the ice surface. The pilot loaded the passengers and attempted a take-off. The aircraft accelerated slowly in the slush, and the pilot rejected the take-off. He selected a different take-off run, moved a passenger to a forward seat, and attempted a second take-off. The pilot continued beyond his previously selected rejection distance. The engine revolutions per minute (rpm) then reportedly decreased by about 150 rpm. The aircraft did not become airborne, and it ran into the low shoreline and crashed, skidding to a stop about 300 feet from the shore. An intense fire broke out immediately. The passengers and pilot evacuated the aircraft. Only one passenger suffered minor burns during the evacuation. Flames engulfed the main fuselage and engine, destroying the aircraft.

Probable cause:

The pilot continued the take-off run with the left ski firmly adhering to the slushy surface beyond a point at which a reject could have been made safely. Contributing to the occurrence was the decrease in engine rpm during take-off.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Saskatoon

Date & Time: May 29, 1997

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FOCS

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

MSN:

YOM:

1949

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Saskatoon, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft nosed down and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Bought by Athabaska Airways four days prior to the accident, the aircraft was checked by the company's mechanics. It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of an issue with the elevator control cables that were not installed in a properly manner by the people in charge of the maintenance.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Turbo Beaver III in La Ronge

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1995 at 0515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FOEF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

1605

YOM:

1965

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Parked at La Ronge, the single engine aircraft was stolen by a drunk 'pilot' who was able to run the engine but attempted to take off with controls locked. At a speed of about 60 knots, the aircraft struck obstacles and crashed on a hill. The aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Crashed after being stolen by an intoxicated 'pilot'.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo in Wollaston Lake

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1995 at 2325 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Eagle Air Services - Canada

Registration:

C-GOLM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Wollaston Lake – La Ronge

MSN:

31-7712050

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4920

Captain / Total hours on type:

450.00

Aircraft flight hours:

7056

Circumstances:

The Eagle Air Services Piper PA-31-325 Navajo, C-GOLM, departed runway 34 at Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan, at 2325 central standard time (CST), on a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) flight to La Ronge. The flight was arranged by the Wollaston nursing station to transport a patient to a hospital in La Ronge. The patient was accompanied on the flight by her mother and a nurse from the nursing station. The aircraft was observed to climb at an unusually shallow angle after take-off, and, when efforts by company personnel to reach the pilot by radio were unsuccessful, a ground search was commenced. The aircraft was found about five minutes after the accident, located on the ice- and snow-covered surface of Wollaston Lake, about 0.75 nautical miles (nm) from the departure end of the runway, and about 1.3 nm from the point of commencement of the take-off roll. The pilot and the patient suffered serious injuries. The other two occupants sustained minor injuries. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness at latitude 58°6.98'N, longitude 103°10.79'W, at an elevation of 1,300 feet above sea level (asl). The temperature was about -25°/C.

Probable cause:

After take-off, the left propeller was likely on its start locks, which, as the airspeed increased, allowed the propeller to overspeed. The pilot was unable to resolve the situation in time to prevent the aircraft from striking the surface of Wollaston Lake. Contributing to the severity of the patient's injuries were the inadequate restraint provided by the stretcher and its restraining strap, the lack of standards regarding stretchers used in aircraft, and the lack of standards as to the operation of MEDEVAC flights.

Final Report:

Crash of an IAI-1124A Westwind in Meadow Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1994 at 0855 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI 1124 Westwind

Operator:

Registration:

C-FMWW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Edmonton - Meadow Lake

MSN:

380

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15600

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3200

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1500

Aircraft flight hours:

4810

Circumstances:

The privately owned Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Westwind II aircraft was en route from the Edmonton Municipal Airport, Alberta, to the Meadow Lake aerodrome, Saskatchewan. Low ceilings and reduced visibility were reported in the vicinity of the destination aerodrome. The crew completed a straight-in instrument approach to runway 08 at Meadow Lake, and began a circling procedure to the south of the aerodrome in order to set up to land on runway 26. The aircraft passed overhead the aerodrome at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above ground level (agl). It then turned and proceeded in level flight towards the southeast. Approximately two and one-half miles from the aerodrome, the aircraft entered a number of steep-banked rolling manoeuvres. Immediately following these manoeuvres, the aircraft descended and struck the ground in a nose-high, slightly right-wing-low attitude. The ground-strike produced very high deceleration forces. The aircraft broke into several sections, internal fuel tanks ruptured, and fuel was sprayed forward and outward from the initial impact point. A severe post-crash fire erupted and engulfed the entire wreckage trail. Emergency medical service and firefighting crews responded from the town of Meadow Lake and were on the scene within minutes of the accident. Both pilots died in the crash.

Probable cause:

While circling to land on runway 26, the aircraft performed a non-typical circling procedure at a lower than published circling altitude, leading to loss of control consistent with an accelerated stall, and descended into terrain before recovery could be completed. Whiteout conditions may have contributed to this occurrence.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Hidden Bay

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1987 at 1450 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-4

Operator:

Registration:

C-GPFG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Schedule:

Kasba Lake - Hidden Bay

MSN:

42917

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On short final, the right main gear struck the ground. Upon impact, the right main gear and the right wing were torn off. Out of control, the aircraft crashed and came to rest. All four crew members escaped with minor injuries.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Maudsley Lake

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FWGE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors: