Perimeter 610 Runway Departure at Winnipeg International Airport

Flight Details and Occurrence Overview Perimeter 610, a Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II with registration C-GIQF and serial number TC279, was operating a scheduled flight under instrument flight rules from St. Theresa Point to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The aircraft carried two pilots and 13 passengers. Upon arrival in the Winnipeg terminal area, the crew initially planned a visual approach to Runway 36, as indicated by the automatic terminal information service (ATIS). However, due to conflicting traffic and airspace restrictions, the arrival controller vectored the aircraft for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 13. ## Approach and Runway Departure During the ILS approach, the crew encountered increasing rain, low visibility, wind shear, and turbulence, which made it difficult to maintain the required course and glide path. The crew had not completed an instrument approach briefing or discussed criteria for discontinuing the approach. At approximately 1908 central daylight time, the aircraft landed to the right of the runway centerline. It then drifted further right, departing the runway surface and damaging a runway edge light, a taxiway edge light, and a runway identification sign. The aircraft traveled 1,150 feet through the infield before coming to rest near the intersection of Runways 13/31 and 18/36, approximately 100 feet from the edge of the intersection. No injuries were reported. ## Damage and Emergency Response The aircraft's left Garrett TPE 33 engine sustained damage from ingested mud and vegetation. The right wing, left wing, and fuselage were damaged when the aircraft struck the edge lights and the runway identification sign. A minor fuel leak was observed resulting from puncture damage to the left wing. After the aircraft stopped, the crew shut down the engines and advised the Winnipeg Airport air traffic controller of their position. Emergency response personnel, including the airport duty manager and fire-fighters, arrived on scene within two minutes. The passengers and the first officer were moved to the terminal area. ## Weather and Operational Factors The observed weather at Winnipeg International Airport at 1900 included winds from 340°T at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles in thundershowers and rain, and an overcast ceiling of 1,600 feet in cumulonimbus cloud. By 1909, winds had shifted to 020°T at 14 knots, with thunderstorms reducing visibility to one statute mile in rain and hail measuring 15 millimeters in diameter. The average wind during the period from 1900 to 1909 had a crosswind component of approximately 12 knots and a tailwind component of approximately 9 knots. ## Crew and Aircraft Status The crew was qualified for the flight in accordance with current regulatory requirements. The captain had approximately 13,600 hours of flight time, including 4,200 hours on the Metro II. The first officer had approximately 1,800 hours of flight time, with 110 hours on the Metro II, having completed initial training on the type about three weeks before the accident. The captain elected to fly the approach himself due to the first officer's limited experience, rather than initiating a pilot-monitored approach. The aircraft's records indicated it was certified, equipped, and maintained in accordance with existing regulations, with no pre-existing technical deficiencies identified. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within approved limits throughout the flight.