What happened
On a night charter flight from Edmonton, Alberta, to Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan, a Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-350 struck trees while attempting to land. The flight, carrying one pilot and six passengers, had initially performed a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach but was forced to execute a missed approach due to low ceilings. After a second missed approach, the pilot momentarily spotted the runway and decided to transition to a visual approach, attempting to fly beneath the cloud base. During this maneuver, the aircraft descended into trees approximately 3.5 nautical miles west of the runway 06 centerline. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, resulting in two serious injuries and five minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, weight and balance, and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators found that the aircraft was mechanically sound and had sufficient fuel. However, the aircraft was found to be overweight at takeoff by approximately 115 pounds, and the center of gravity was slightly aft of the allowable limits. The investigation also looked into the cargo area, finding that the baggage weight exceeded manufacturer limits by 100 pounds. Furthermore, the investigation identified that missing screws in the seat track assembly contributed to the failure of the cargo net anchor points during the crash, which led to baggage and seats shifting into the cabin.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a visual approach below the minimum descent altitude after seeing the runway momentarily.
- The pilot likely experienced a visual illusion where the horizon appeared lower than its actual position, leading to an improper descent angle.
- The aircraft's takeoff weight exceeded the maximum allowable limit, and the center of gravity was out of envelope.
- The baggage load exceeded the 200-pound limit for the rear area by 100 pounds.
- Missing seat track attachment screws and the excessive baggage weight caused the cargo net anchors to fail, contributing to passenger injuries.
- The pilot's decision to land was influenced by the lack of available accommodation keys at the alternate airport and a scheduled flight the following morning.