Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar in Saskatoon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 2011 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FDKM
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Saskatoon - Saskatoon
MSN:
196
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7400
Captain / Total hours on type:
75.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1800
Aircraft flight hours:
21292
Circumstances:
At 1503 Central Standard Time, the Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) C-212-CC40 (registration C-FDKM, serial number 196) operated by Fugro Aviation Canada Ltd., departed from Saskatoon/Diefenbaker International Airport, Saskatchewan, under visual flight rules for a geophysical survey flight to the east of Saskatoon. On board were 2 pilots and a survey equipment operator. At about 1814, the right engine lost power. The crew shut it down, carried out checklist procedures, and commenced an approach for Runway 27. When the flight was 3.5 nautical miles from the runway on final approach, the left engine lost power. The crew carried out a forced landing adjacent to Wanuskewin Road in Saskatoon. The aircraft impacted a concrete roadway noise abatement wall and was destroyed. The survey equipment operator sustained fatal injuries, the first officer sustained serious injuries, and the captain sustained minor injuries. No ELT signal was received.
Probable cause:
Conclusions
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The right engine lost power when the intermediate spur gear on the torque sensor shaft failed. This resulted in loss of drive to the high-pressure engine-driven pump, fuel starvation, and immediate engine stoppage.
2. The ability of the left-hand No. 2 ejector pump to deliver fuel to the collector tank was compromised by foreign object debris (FOD) in the ejector pump nozzle.
3. When the fuel level in the left collector tank decreased, the left fuel level warning light likely illuminated but was not noticed by the crew.
4. The pilots did not execute the fuel level warning checklist because they did not perceive the illumination of the fuel level left tank warning light. Consequently, the fuel crossfeed valve remained closed and fuel from only the left wing was being supplied to the left engine.
5. The left engine flamed out as a result of depletion of the collector tank and fuel starvation, and the crew had to make a forced landing resulting in an impact with a concrete noise abatement wall.
Findings as to Risk:
1. Depending on the combination of fuel level and bank angle in single-engine uncoordinated flight, the ejector pump system may not have the delivery capacity, when the No. 1 ejector inlet is exposed, to prevent eventual depletion of the collector tank when the engine is operated at full power. Depletion of the collector tank will result in engine power loss.
2. The master caution annunciator does not flash; this leads to a risk that the the crew may not notice the illumination of an annunciator panel segment, in turn increasing the risk of them not taking action to correct the condition which activated the master caution.
3. When cockpit voice and flight data recordings are not available to an investigation, this may preclude the identification and communication of safety deficiencies to advance transportation safety.
4. Because the inlets of the ejector pumps are unscreened, there is a risk that FOD in the fuel tank may become lodged in an ejector nozzle and result in a decrease in the fuel delivery rate to the collector tank.
Other Findings:
1. The crew’s decision not to recover or jettison the birds immediately resulted in operation for an extended period with minimal climb performance.
2. The composition and origin of the FOD, as well as how or when it had been introduced into the fuel tank, could not be determined.
3. The SkyTrac system provided timely position information that would have assisted search and rescue personnel if position data had been required.
4. Saskatoon police, firefighters, and paramedics responded rapidly to the accident and provided effective assistance to the survivors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Kamsack: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 2009 at 2124 LT
Registration:
C-GUZZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kamsack – Saskatoon
MSN:
46-8508108
YOM:
1985
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Kamsack, on an instrument flight rules flight to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The pilot and three passengers were on board. At takeoff from runway 34, the aircraft began rolling to the left. The aircraft initially climbed, then descended in a steep left bank and collided with terrain 200 feet to the left of the runway. A post-impact fire ignited immediately. Two passengers survived the impact with serious injuries and evacuated from the burning wreckage. The pilot and third passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire. The accident occurred during evening civil twilight at 2124 Central Standard Time.
Probable cause:
Finding as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The pilot was unable to maintain aircraft control after takeoff for undetermined reasons and the aircraft rolled to the left and collided with terrain.
Finding as to Risk:
1. The manufacturer issued a service bulletin to regularly inspect and lubricate the stainless steel cables. Due to the fact that the bulletin was not part of an airworthiness directive and was not considered mandatory, it was not carried out on an ongoing basis. It is likely that the recommended maintenance action has not been carried out on other affected aircraft at the 100-hour or annual frequency recommended in FAA SAIB CE-01-30.
Other Findings:
1. Due to the complete destruction of the surrounding structure, restriction to aileron cable movement prior to impact could not be determined.
2. The use of the available three-point restraint systems likely prevented the two survivors from being incapacitated, enabling them to evacuate from the burning wreckage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Prince Albert

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2003 at 1802 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FDYF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saskatoon – Prince Albert
MSN:
U-110
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
TW602
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Saskatoon

Date & Time: May 29, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FOCS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
54
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 an Avro 652A Anson V in Buffalo Narrows: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-FVZ
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saskatoon – Buffalo Narrows
MSN:
MDF-297
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
On final approach to Buffalo Narrows Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. All eight occupants, among them five children and the pilot Stuart Millar were killed. It was reported by locals that the accident was the result of a bird strike on final.

Crash of a North American B-25J-30/32-NC Mitchell near Pitt Lake: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1953
Operator:
Registration:
5246
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Saskatoon – Vancouver
MSN:
108-37421
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While flying northeast of Vancouver, the twin engine aircraft hit a snowy mountain slope located near Widgeon Lake, west of Pitt Lake. Debris were found few days later and all five crewmen were killed.
Crew:
Flying Officer Murray Donald Hill,
Flying Officer Jack Wayne McIntosh,
Flying Officer Ernest Dorph Thygesen, 2.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 Expeditor 3TM in Redberry Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
1599
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saskatoon - Saskatoon
MSN:
A-787
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Saskatoon that day with two other similar airplanes for a training mission on behalf of the 1st RCAF Advanced Training School. On board were three crew members, one instructor and two student pilots. While flying at a very low height, the aircraft struck the water surface and crashed in the Redberry Lake, about 65 km northwest of Saskatoon Airport. The plane was totally submerged and just one of the airmen had managed to swim to a sandbar. Both other pilots remained in the cabin and were killed. The plane was eventually located and brought to shore where it was trucked away for investigation. It is believed that a propeller(s) came in contact with the lake surface.

Crash of a Cessna Crane I near Saskatoon

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1942 at 0300 LT
Operator:
Registration:
7759
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saskatoon - Saskatoon
MSN:
1202
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
148
Captain / Total hours on type:
72.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at Saskatoon Airport. While in the circuit, the twin engine airplane descended into ground and crashed in a field located 5 km northeast of the air airfield. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Crew:
LAC A. D. Milton, pilot.
Probable cause:
Inexperienced pilot's neglect to watch instruments while changing flaps fuse in flight, causing the aircraft to fly into ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna Crane I in Vanscoy: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1942 at 1240 LT
Operator:
Registration:
7657
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vanscoy - Saskatoon
MSN:
1100
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
79
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
81
Copilot / Total hours on type:
7
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Vanscoy Airport, while climbing to a height of 100 feet, the twin engine airplane suffered a structural failure, dove into the ground and crashed, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and two others were injured. The airplane was on a ferry flight to Saskatoon Airport.
Crew:
F/Sgt Hugh Charles Campbell, pilot. †
Passengers:
LAC Benjamin Dean Cook, †
LAC Hubert Vernol Ford, †
LAC E. P. Friesen,
LAC A. L. Freebairn.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in initial climb after fabric peeled off from the right wing. The accident was due to a structural failure caused by overstressing as a result of a rapidly executed manoeuvre made by the pilot during unauthorized aerobatics.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna Crane I near Saskatoon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1942 at 1620 LT
Operator:
Registration:
7717
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saskatoon - Saskatoon
MSN:
1160
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
135
Captain / Total hours on type:
84.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Saskatoon Airport on a solo training exercise. The airplane entered a dive and crashed 17 miles north of the Saskatoon Airport, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Crew:
LAC Leslie William Gillan, pilot.
Probable cause:
Obscure. Extensive disintegration makes it unable to obtain any material evidence from wreckage. Nature of final dive shows structural failure of the elevator controls.
Final Report: