Manitoba | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On final approach to Gods River Airport runway 27, the right main gear struck a snow berm located 105 metres short of runway threshold. The crew continued the approach and the aircraft landed 99 metres past the runway threshold. On touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid fore few dozen metres then veered off runway to the right and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor in Bradburn lake

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1995 at 1040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

C-FSFH

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Bradburn Lake - Selkirk

MSN:

5840

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9000

Captain / Total hours on type:

700.00

Aircraft flight hours:

15748

Circumstances:

The Beech 18 seaplane was departing a fishing camp at Bradburn Lake, Manitoba, for its third flight of the day en route to the operator's base at Selkirk. After boarding the passengers and loading the baggage for the flight, the pilot taxied the aircraft to a position near the southwest shore of the lake and started the take-off run on an approximate heading of 015° true. During the take-off run, after the aircraft was "on the step," the pilot noticed a yaw to the left. He corrected the yaw with the aircraft's rudders and with differential engine power. Shortly thereafter, at about 60 miles per hour (mph), the yaw recurred and worsened. The left float separated from the aircraft and the left wing struck the water. The aircraft turned sharply to the left, stopped in the water, and came to rest on its left wing tip in about 15 feet of water. The pilot and the six passengers were not injured; they exited the sinking aircraft and swam to shore. The accident occurred at 1040 central daylight saving time (CDT) during daylight hours at latitude 51°55'N and longitude 95°35'W.

Probable cause:

The left front swivel fitting attachment bolt probably moved out of position because the securing nut was either not installed or came off in service. A series of failures ensued, culminating in the separation of the left float from the aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander in Pauingassi

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1995 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

C-GSGK

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

383

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Pauingassi, the twin engine aircraft was too low and struck the ground short of the airstrip. It came to rest in snow and was damaged beyond repair. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the pilot misjudged the distance with the landing area and may have suffered a optical illusion caused by the reflection of the sun on the snow.

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA in Thompson: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1994 at 0001 LT

Type of aircraft:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Operator:

Registration:

C-FFYC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Coral Harbour – Churchill – Thompson

MSN:

T26-36

YOM:

1969

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:

3160.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3700

Copilot / Total hours on type:

375

Aircraft flight hours:

12633

Circumstances:

The twin-engine turboprop aircraft had just completed a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) flight from Coral Harbour, Northwest Territories (NWT), to Churchill, Manitoba. At 2257 central daylight saving time (CDT), the aircraft departed Churchill for a night, instrument flight rules (IFR) flight to return to the aircraft's base of operations at Thompson, Manitoba. The en route portion of the return leg was conducted at an altitude of 18,000 feet above sea level (asl). Approximately one hour after take-off, the aircraft commenced an approach to the Thompson Airport. The crew remained in radio contact with air traffic control (ATC) personnel until approximately 2359 CDT. Just after midnight (0001 CDT), the Hotel non-directional beacon (NDB), which is located 3.4 miles northeast of the Thompson Airport, stopped transmitting. Ninety minutes later, the search and rescue satellite system (SARSAT) picked up an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal to the northeast of the airport. Thompson Airport staff, who had been dispatched to the site of the failed navigation beacon, found the wreckage of the aircraft in and around the NDB transmitter compound. Emergency responses were initiated by various airport and local authorities.

Probable cause:

The flight crew lost altitude awareness during the localizer back course approach and allowed the aircraft to descend below a mandatory level-off altitude. Contributing factors to this occurrence were the crew's deviation from a published approach procedure, ineffective in-flight monitoring of the approach, rapidly developing localized fog conditions, and, probably, pilot fatigue.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4T Turbo Caribou in Gimli: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1992 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Operator:

Registration:

N400NC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Gimli - Gimli

MSN:

240

YOM:

1965

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following maintenance, the crew was engaged in a local test flight at Gimli Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing steeply to a height of about 200 feet, the aircraft entered a right turn then nosed down and crashed near the runway, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft was just coming out from maintenance after several parts have been replaced on elevators and rudder. The crew took part to these assembly operations made necessary due to a rudder lock system malfunction. The crew lost control of the aircraft shortly after rotation due to the rudder jamming unexpectedly following a failure in the locking mechanism. Investigations show that the assembly operations were carried out in accordance with regulations in force and it is believed that a mechanical failure is the only plausible hypothesis to explain the accident as the crew did not make any error.

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Island Lake

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1992

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Ministic Air

Registration:

C-FRGT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Little Grand Rapids – Island Lake

MSN:

BA-154

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Island Lake Airport (Stevenson Island), the twin engine aircraft struck the surface of a frozen lake and crashed near Garden Hill. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft A65 Queen Air in Winnipeg

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

C-GKDX

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

City

MSN:

LC-271

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Winnipeg Airport, the pilot encountered engine problems. The aircraft lost height and crashed on a factory located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed but all five occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Little Grand Rapids: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Islandair

Registration:

C-GVBS

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

402B-1022

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Struck trees, lost height and crashed on an icy lake located near Little Grand Rapids. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 near Shamattawa

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

C-FBKX

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

16065/32813

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 700 feet, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine. The propeller was feathered but as the aircraft was overloaded, it was unable to maintain altitude, descended into trees and eventually crashed in a snow covered area. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine following the failure of a connecting rod. The fact that the aircraft was overloaded was considered as a contributing factor.

Ground accident of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Shamattawa

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1982

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

C-GIXZ

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

22453

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing at Shamattawa Airport while on a cargo flight, the crew was taxiing to the apron when the aircraft went off course. The right main gear struck a drainage ditch and was torn off. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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