What happened
On the morning of January 2012, a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registered as C-GOSU, was performing a scheduled flight from Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Manitoba to North Spirit Lake, Ontario. The aircraft, operated by Keystone Air Service Limited as Flight 213, was carrying one pilot and four passengers.
During the approach to Runway 13 at North Spirit Lake, the aircraft struck the surface of the frozen lake approximately 1.1 nautical miles before reaching the runway threshold. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. The accident resulted in four fatalities and one serious injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight, focusing on the environmental and operational conditions present at the time of the accident. The investigation looked into the aircraft's flight path and the impact with the frozen lake surface. It was also noted that the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter ceased functioning shortly after the crash because the antenna wire was destroyed by the post-impact fire.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified in the crash of Flight 213. The investigation established that operational pressures, unfavorable weather conditions, and the pilot's lack of experience were key elements in the occurrence.