Plane wasn’t de-iced before crash: officials

FOND DU LAC, Sask. — Investigators say a plane that crashed near a remote northern Saskatchewan community last year had ice on it when it took off.

All 25 people on board the West Wind Aviation plane escaped the wreckage after the plane went down near the Fond du Lac airstrip soon after takeoff on Dec. 13. Nine people were seriously injured and one 19-year-old man, Arson Fern Jr., later died in hospital.

The Transportation Safety Board said in an update Monday the investigation is still ongoing, but investigators have determined the plane arrived at the airport about 5:25 p.m. after encountering icing conditions.

“The anti-icing and de-icing systems were activated,” said the update. “When the de-icing and anti-icing systems were turned off, residual ice remained on portions of the aircraft.”

The plane stayed at the Fond du Lac airport to take on new passengers and cargo, but it was not de-iced before taking off again.

Investigators are trying to determine why that didn’t happen and whether there was adequate equipment at the airport.

The update said West Wind Aviation had some de-icing equipment in the terminal, including two ladders, a hand-held spray bottle with electric blanket and wand, and a container of de-icing fluid.

West Wind Aviation issued a statement Monday that said the company continues to work with the Transportation Safety Board and Transport Canada. Its website says air operations are still suspended.