What happened
On an afternoon flight from Vancouver International Airport to Kelowna, British Columbia, a Beechcraft King Air 100, registered C-GXRX, operated by Northern Thunderbird Air Incorporated, encountered mechanical issues shortly after departure. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the crew identified an oil leak, prompting a decision to divert the aircraft back to Vancouver.
While the aircraft was on its approach, flying at roughly 300 feet above the ground and approximately 0.5 statute miles from the runway, it experienced a sudden left bank and a nose-down pitch. The aircraft struck the ground and ignited, eventually coming to a stop on a road located just beyond the airport perimeter fence.
Following the impact, bystanders assisted in evacuating six passengers from the wreckage. Fire and rescue teams successfully rescued the remaining passenger and the two pilots. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in two fatalities among the crew, while all seven passengers sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent fire. During the examination of the wreckage, it was noted that the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter had been removed from the plane.