Fond du Lac aircraft not de-iced before crash, TSB reports
West Wind Aviation says it continues to co-operate with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada as investigators try to determine if the presence of ice on a West Wind plane was a factor in the crash of the aircraft moments after takeoff from the Fond du Lac airstrip.
The TSB on Monday said the West Wind plane carrying 25 people that crashed one minute after departure was not de-iced before takeoff and was contaminated by ice. In an update to its investigation into the Dec. 13 crash, the TSB released its latest findings on Monday.
The update “contains facts that the TSB has been able to validate” but “contains no conclusions about the factors that contributed to the occurrence,” according to the TSB. The final report “will include an analysis of all relevant factors” and provide the TSB’s findings, the board stated.
West Wind Aviation issued a statement Monday saying the company continues to work with the TSB and Transport Canada. Its website says air operations are still suspended.
According to the TSB’s update, the ATR 42 aircraft arrived at the Fond du Lac airport on Dec. 13 at 5:25 p.m. During its descent, the plane “encountered icing conditions and the anti-icing and de-icing systems were activated. When the de-icing and anti-icing systems were turned off, residual ice remained on portions of the aircraft,” the update stated.
The de-icing equipment available to West Wind Aviation in the terminal consisted of two ladders, a hand-held spray bottle with electric blanket and wand, and a container of de-icing fluid, according to the TSB.
At 6:11 p.m., after boarding new passengers and cargo, the plane took off. At 6:12 p.m., it went down after colliding with trees and terrain approximately one kilometre west of the end of the runway.
Nine occupants suffered serious injuries, according to the report. Arson Fern Jr. died in a Saskatoon hospital on Christmas Day. He suffered two broken legs, a broken pelvis, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding when the plane crashed.
Six of the passengers are listed as plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against West Wind Aviation and Athabasca Basin Development, the airline’s majority shareholder. The suit seeks punitive and exemplary damages, as well as general and special damages and costs. The plaintiffs allege the airline was negligent, used a runway that was too short for the size and weight of the plane and did not have proper deicing equipment. Allegations contained in statements of claim have not been proven in court.
The wreckage path through trees and across terrain was at least 800 feet long, according to the safety board.
“The TSB offers its condolences to the family who lost a loved one and we understand that this accident has been traumatic to those involved. The TSB investigation team is mindful of the survivors and the community of Fond du Lac, who want answers rapidly,” the report stated. “A significant amount of work has been completed so far, but much remains to be done. “
The captain and first officer were certified and qualified in accordance with existing regulations, according to the report.
The TSB noted that the weight of the plane was below the maximum structural takeoff weight and the centre of gravity was within limits. Engines were operating up to the point of impact. The plane was equipped with a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which were recovered “in good condition” from the wreckage.
“TSB specialists have extracted data from the recorders and continue to analyze it,” the report states.
The temperature at Stony Rapids, about 80 kilometres east of Fond du Lac, was -10 C at the time of the crash. There was a presence of “patchy, moderate rime icing in cloud from 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level” at the time of the crash. Stony Rapids is approximately 800 feet above sea level.
Fond du Lac is approximately 1,100 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
“Investigations are complex and we take the time needed to complete a thorough investigation. However, should the investigation team uncover safety deficiencies that present an immediate risk, the (TSB) will communicate them without delay,” the report stated.
“It is important not to speculate, or draw conclusions as to causes at this time. There are often many factors that can contribute to an accident.”