What happened
On 4 October 2007, a Ukrainian Cargo Airways Ilyush and 76TD, registration UR-UCT, was conducting a flight from Keflavik, Iceland, to Trenton, Ontario. Due to the unserviceability of the instrument landing system for Runway 24, the crew was cleared for a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach.
While the crew initially operated in visual meteorological conditions, they did not obtain the most recent weather updates prior to their descent. As the aircraft approached the runway, it entered a layer of fog approximately 1.5 nautical miles from the threshold. During this period, the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude and reached an altitude as low as 33 feet above ground level. While attempting to correct the low altitude and realign with the centerline, the right main landing gear struck a group of trees approximately 70 feet high. The aircraft subsequently landed at Trenton with minor damage and no injuries to the 15 crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight crew's approach procedures, the weather conditions at the time of the incident, and the aircraft's descent profile. Investigators found that the crew had planned for a visual approach without realizing that visibility had deteriorated significantly due to fog.
Analysis of the aircraft's flight path revealed that the crew deviated from the standard 3.0-degree glide slope, which placed them at a dangerously low altitude before they encountered the fog. Additionally, the investigation noted that while the crew performed a briefing regarding aircraft configuration and speed, they failed to conduct a formal approach or missed approach briefing. The investigation also reviewed the crew's recent duty history, noting that on several previous trans-meridian flights, the required 42-hour rest period stipulated by company policy had not been met.
Findings
- The flight crew intended to perform a visual approach without having the most recent weather information, leaving them unaware of the actual visibility at Trenton.
- A lack of a comprehensive approach briefing meant the crew was unprepared to execute a missed approach when visual references were lost.
- The crew deviated from company procedures by descending below the established 3.0-degree glide slope.
- The descent below the minimum descent altitude into a fog bank caused the loss of visual reference and the subsequent impact with trees.
- The crew's failure to receive mandatory 42-hour rest periods after previous long-haul flights presented a potential risk of fatigue.