Keystone Air Service Flight 213 Strikes Frozen Lake at North Spirit Lake

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-01-10 involved a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-GOSU, operated by Keystone Air Service Limited, at North Spirit Lake, Ontario, CA.

On January 10, 2012, a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-GOSU operated by Keystone Air Service Limited was involved in an aviation accident near North Spirit Lake, Ontario, CA. This summary draws on records from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

On approach to Runway 13 at North Spirit Lake, a Piper PA31-350 struck the frozen lake surface 1.1 nm from the threshold. The pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post-impact fire.

Occurrence

Keystone Air Service Limited Flight 213, a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration C-GOSU, serial number 31-7752148), departed from Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Manitoba, en route to North Spirit Lake, Ontario, with one pilot and four passengers on board. At 0957 Central Standard Time, while on approach to Runway 13 at North Spirit Lake, the aircraft struck the frozen lake surface approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the threshold of Runway 13.

Injuries and Damage

The pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire.

Emergency Locator Transmitter

After a short period of operation, the emergency locator transmitter stopped transmitting when its antenna wire was consumed by the fire.

Investigation

The investigation is classified as a class 3 investigation, which analyzes a small number of safety issues and may result in recommendations. Such investigations are generally completed within 450 days.

2012-01-10: Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-GOSU — Keystone Air Service Limited — North Spirit Lake, Ontario, CA