What happened
On a night cargo flight from Toledo, Ohio, to Oshawa, Ontario, a Short Brothers SD3-60 (registration N748CC) attempted a landing on a snow-covered runway under instrument meteorological conditions. During the approach, the captain took control of the aircraft after the first officer struggled to maintain the localizer. The aircraft touched down approximately one-third of the way down Runway 30.
Upon touchdown, the pilot applied full reverse thrust. Noticing that deceleration was insufficient and that the runway end lights were approaching, the captain initiated a go-around. The aircraft became airborne but lacked the necessary airspeed and power to climb effectively. After flying past the end of the runway, the aircraft's tail struck an airport perimeter fence. The plane then descended into a marshy area and struck rising terrain and a line of cedar trees, where it came to an abrupt stop. Both pilots sustained serious injuries, though no post-crash fire occurred.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's performance requirements and the crew's decision-making process. The investigation established that the aircraft was configured with 15° of flaps for the landing. While the crew followed company advice regarding flap settings based on a previous manufacturer message, a subsequent update had already cleared the use of 30° flaps.
Technical analysis of the runway conditions revealed that the surface was covered in approximately half an inch of slush and wet snow, making it quite slippery. Calculations showed that a landing on such a surface with the chosen flap setting would have required a much longer runway than the 4,000 feet available at Oshawa Municipal Airport. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the aircraft's flight profile, noting that the pilot rotated to a takeoff attitude without referencing the airspeed indicator during the aborted landing.
Findings
- The crew executed a landing on a runway that lacked the necessary length for the prevailing conditions.
- The flight crew likely failed to consult the Aircraft Flight Manual to determine that a flap-15 approach was unsuitable for a snow-covered runway.
- The captain attempted a go-around after touchdown and the application of full reverse thrust.
- The aircraft entered ground effect at an insufficient speed and power level, preventing a successful climb and leading to the impact with the fence, terrain, and trees.
- The crew continued to follow outdated company procedures regarding flap usage because they were not properly informed that the manufacturer's restriction had been lifted.