What happened
On 26 October 2023, at approximately 15:25 EDT, a Boeing of Canada Ltd. De Havilland Division DHC-8-106, registered C-FLSX, was performing an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Chisasibi Airport (CSU2) to Val-d’Or Airport (CYVO). The aircraft, operated by Air Creebec Inc., was carrying 28 passengers and 3 crew members.
During the descent from flight level 200, the flight crew was instructed to enter a holding pattern at the IKDOB waypoint to allow another aircraft to land first. After holding at 6,000 feet for 12 minutes, the aircraft was cleared for an area navigation (RNAV) approach to Runway 18 using the global navigation satellite system. Following the exit from the hold, the aircraft's track deviated from the intended approach path. While the non-flying pilot attempted to correct the course by reprogramming the flight management system, a second deviation occurred at the final approach waypoint. This triggered terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) alerts, prompting the crew to execute a go-around. The aircraft passed 405 feet above the ground, positioned 0.98 nautical miles to the right of the approach path and 1.46 nautical miles from the runway threshold. A subsequent approach was completed, and the aircraft landed safely on Runway 18.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the track divergences and the activation of the terrain warning system during the RNAV approach.