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Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in Calgary

Date & Time: Aug 16, 2024 at 1244 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FZHG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jasper – Calgary
MSN:
31-753
YOM:
1971
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A Piper PA-31 Navajo operated by Airborne Energy Solutions Inc. was conducting a round robin instrument flight rules flight from Calgary International Airport (CYYC), AB, to Hinton/Entrance Aerodrome (CEE4), AB, and back to CYYC with only the pilot on board. The plan was to conduct the flight without refueling in CEE4. Prior to departure from CEE4, the pilot determined there was sufficient fuel for the return flight to CYYC. While in cruise, with the left engine being supplied by the left outboard tank, the pilot observed the left engine fuel pressure start to fluctuate, and the engine operation became erratic. The pilot then selected the left engine to run on the left inboard fuel tank. Concerned about the fuel quantity in the left-wing fuel tanks, the pilot elected to cross feed the left engine from the right-side fuel system. During the final approach into CYYC the right engine stopped running. The pilot secured the right engine, feathered the propeller, declared a Mayday with ATS and elected to continue the approach. Two to three minutes later, the left engine stopped operating, and the pilot proceeded to perform a forced approach onto a golf course located directly south of the approach end for Runway 35R. The aircraft came to a rest approximately 1/2 nm south of the threshold for Runway 35R. The pilot received minor injuries; however, the aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no post-accident fire. On site post-accident examination of the aircraft found the left-hand fuel selector in the outboard position, the right-hand fuel selector in the off position and the cross-feed valve in the off (normal) position. The aircraft was subsequently removed from the golf course and transported to a secure location for further investigation. The investigation found that there was no fuel remaining in the left inboard, left outboard and left nacelle fuel tanks. The right nacelle tank was empty, however approximately 24 USG were recovered from the right inboard, and approximately 29 USG were recovered from the right outboard fuel tanks.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond IA in Jasper

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1995 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GLIG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Williams Lake - Jasper
MSN:
76
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
360.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
350
Aircraft flight hours:
3290
Circumstances:
The Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond business jet was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Williams Lake, British Columbia, to Hinton, Alberta. There were two pilots and two passengers on board. Prior to issuing the descent clearance from flight level 270 (FL270), the Edmonton Area Control Centre (ACC) advised the crew of the Jasper townsite, Alberta, weather. The winds were reported as calm. The crew cancelled the IFR during the descent and continued for a visual approach and landing to runway 02 at the Jasper-Hinton Airport. During the approach, the crew encountered moderate turbulence on short final. The captain increased the reference airspeed (Vref) from 105 to 115 knots to allow for subsiding air and airspeed fluctuations. The crew noted that the wind sock for runway 02 was fully extended and was varying in direction frequently. They elected to continue the approach and landing on runway 02. Power was reduced to idle at 50 feet. The aircraft touched down at about 1,000 feet down the runway. During the landing roll, the captain first applied maximum braking and then, when he determined that the aircraft would not come to a stop in the remaining runway distance available, he initiated commanded swerving to assist in stopping the aircraft; the aircraft skidded to a position 255 feet off the end of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the occupants were uninjured. The accident occurred at latitude 53°19'N, longitude 117°45'W, at an elevation of 4,016 feet above sea level (asl), at 0920 mountain standard time (MST), during the hours of daylight.
Probable cause:
The aircraft overran the runway because the crew landed with a 14- to 21-knot tailwind. Contributing to the occurrence were the crew's belief that the calm winds given to them by the Area Control Centre for Jasper townsite were for the Jasper-Hinton Airport, and their decision to continue with the straight-in approach procedure without overflying the airport.
Final Report: