Incident Overview
On an evening in January 2007, Transwest Air Flight 350 (TW350), a Beech A100 King Air (registration C-GFFN, serial number B190), departed La Ronge, Saskatchewan, at 1930 central standard time under instrument flight rules. The aircraft was bound for Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan, with two flight crew members and two emergency medical technicians aboard. The flight was conducted under Part VII, Subpart 3, Air Taxi Operations, of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
Sequence of Events
After departure, air traffic control cleared TW350 out of controlled airspace via the Sandy Bay Runway 05 non-directional beacon approach. The crew conducted a straight-in approach to Runway 05. During the landing flare, the captain decided to abandon the landing and initiated a go-around at 2002:19. The captain advanced the power levers and called for gear and flap retraction. However, the aircraft did not maintain a positive rate of climb and collided with trees just beyond the departure end of the runway at 2002:43.
Injuries and Damage
All four occupants survived the impact and evacuated the aircraft. The captain died of his injuries before rescuers arrived. Both emergency medical technicians were seriously injured, and the first officer sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged by impact forces and subsequently destroyed by a post-impact fire. Property damage was limited to the forest in the immediate area, with minor environmental damage from fuel spillage and the fire.
Crew Information
The captain held an airline transport pilot licence and had accumulated 8814 total flying hours, including 449 hours on the Beech A100 King Air. The first officer held a commercial pilot licence with 672 total flying hours, 439 of which were on type. Both pilots were on duty for 1.5 hours prior to the occurrence and had 15 hours off duty before the work period.
Approach and Go-Around Details
The captain had designated the first officer as pilot flying for the flight. The first officer planned a straight-in NDB approach to Runway 05. After the approach briefing, control was transferred back to the first officer. On final approach, the aircraft was slightly high, and the captain coached the first officer. The first officer suggested a go-around, but the captain initially instructed to continue. At 2002:18, power was reduced to flight idle. One second later, the captain decided to go around and advanced the power. The first officer, feeling pressure on the controls, released the control column, but neither pilot announced a transfer of control. Despite the first officer selecting gear and flaps up, the captain re-selected the flaps to approach setting. The aircraft failed to climb and struck trees.