History of the Flight
On 17 January 2004, the pilot began his duty day in Toronto at 0445 EST. After completing morning flights, he landed at Windsor at 0916. At approximately 1500, the pilot received weather and passenger information from Pelee Island office personnel. The 1430 weather reported ceiling 500 feet obscured, visibility two miles. The aircraft was refueled at 1523 for a scheduled 1600 departure. The passengers were loaded early to allow for de-icing due to wet snow accumulation. The aircraft was de-iced with Type 1 fluid and departed for Pelee Island at 1605 IFR as GGN125.
At 1615, the pilot advised Cleveland Center that Pelee Island was in sight, cancelled IFR, and stated he would depart IFR in about 20 minutes as GGN126. The aircraft landed at 1620. While on the ramp, two individuals voiced concern about ice on the wing; freezing precipitation was falling. The pilot visually checked the leading edge but proceeded with loading.
At approximately 1638, GGN126 departed Runway 27 for Windsor, using most of the 3300-foot runway. The aircraft climbed at a very shallow angle while turning north over Lake Erie. Witnesses not at the airport reported hearing a crash sound, then no engine noise.
A normal flight takes 15–20 minutes. When the aircraft did not arrive, the Windsor ticket agent contacted the tower at 1705. The pilot had not contacted ATS before departure, so the aircraft was unaccounted for. The ELT was not heard. At 1710, the Windsor controller contacted the Rescue Coordination Centre, initiating a search. At 1908, the empennage and debris were spotted by a USCG helicopter on the frozen lake about 1.6 nm from the departure end of the runway. There were no survivors. Recovery took 13 days.
Injuries to Persons
All 10 persons on board (1 pilot, 9 passengers) were fatally injured.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an ATPL and had been employed by Georgian Express Ltd. since November 2000. He had 3465 total flying hours, 957 hours on type, and 128 hours in the last 90 days. He was conscientious and professional. On the day before the accident, he had flown as a passenger from Los Angeles, returning to Toronto at 2047, with potential sleep from 2230 to 0345 (about 5 hours). On the accident day, he flew Toronto–Windsor–Pele Island–Windsor, then repositioned and awaited afternoon flights.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1998 Cessna 208B Caravan (serial 208B0658, registration C-FAGA) with a single PT6A-114A engine and McCauley propeller. Total airframe time was 7809 hours. Maintenance was in accordance with approved procedures. Engine and propeller examinations showed no pre-impact discrepancies; the engine was developing power at impact. Fuel samples from the refuelling truck met Jet A-1 specifications.
Weight and balance: No computations for the accident flight were found. The aircraft had 800 lbs of fuel after the morning flight, and the pilot added 1000 lbs before departing Windsor for Pelee Island. Post-accident calculations estimated 1700 lbs of fuel at takeoff on the accident flight, cargo 589 lbs, two dogs (140 lbs total), and nine male passengers plus one female. Using actual passenger weights of about 2400 lbs, the calculated takeoff weight was 9820 lbs, exceeding the maximum allowable takeoff weight in known icing conditions (8550 lbs) by 1270 lbs (15%). Even using standard A.I.P. Canada weights (1833 lbs for occupants), the aircraft was 703 lbs over the limit.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions at the time included freezing precipitation and ice accumulation on the wings before departure.
Findings
The aircraft struck the frozen surface of Lake Erie approximately 1.6 nm from the departure end of Runway 27. The accident resulted in fatal injuries to all 10 persons on board. The aircraft was significantly overweight, and there was evidence of ice contamination on the wings despite de-icing. The engine was producing power at impact.