What happened
On 23 January 2013, a de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, registered C-GKBC, departed from South Pole Station, Antarctica, for a repositioning flight to Terra Nova Bay. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules with a crew of three. Following the departure, the aircraft failed to complete its scheduled radio check-in at 0827 UTC, leading officials to declare the flight overdue.
An emergency locator transmitter signal was subsequently identified near Mount Elizabeth, Antarctica. Although a search and rescue operation was launched immediately, severe weather conditions prevented rescue teams from reaching the location for two days. Upon reaching the site, investigators discovered that the aircraft had struck the terrain. All three crew members were confirmed deceased.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the impact and the subsequent inability to perform a full wreckage inspection. Due to the combination of high altitude, extreme weather, and the state of the wreckage, a comprehensive examination of the C-GKBC was not possible. The recovery of the crew was also prevented by these environmental and physical conditions. From the visible portions of the aircraft, there were no signs of fire at the crash site.
Findings
- The aircraft impacted the terrain during the flight.
- Extreme weather conditions and high altitude hindered the search, rescue, and the ability to conduct a full forensic examination of the wreckage.