What happened
On 15 November 2018, a Bombardier DHC-8-315, registered as C-FPAE, was operating an instrument flight rules service from Churchill Falls to Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft, operated by PAL Airlines Ltd., was carrying 47 passengers and 4 crew members.
During the approach to Deer Lake, the flight crew deployed the landing gear. Shortly after, advisory lights and a weight on wheels caution light illuminated, signaling that the nose landing gear had failed to reach the down-and-locked position. The crew subsequently performed a missed approach and entered a holding pattern to address the technical issue. After requesting a diversion to Stephenville, the crew declared an emergency.
Upon landing at Stephenville at 1230, the nose landing gear was only partially extended. The gear fully collapsed as the aircraft touched down, causing the nose structure to strike the runway. The aircraft slid along the surface before coming to a halt midway down the runway. There were no injuries among the 51 occupants, and no fire occurred following the impact. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the nose landing gear during the landing sequence. Investigators examined the aircraft's systems to determine why the gear failed to lock into place and why the collapse occurred upon touchdown.