What happened
On 30 March 2024, a Boeing of Canada Limited de Havilland Division DHC-8-314, registered as C-GAIW, was performing a daytime cargo operation under instrument flight rules. The aircraft, operated by Air Inuit Ltd., departed from La Grande Rivière Airport (CYGL), Quebec, destined for Kangiqsujuaq (Wakeham Bay) Airport (CYKG).
During the landing phase at the destination, the aircraft's wheels made contact with the runway slightly ahead of the threshold. This initial contact caused the lower portion of the left main landing gear to detach. Following this structural failure, the aircraft bounced, resulting in a second touchdown supported only by the nose wheel and the right main landing gear. The crew maintained directional control throughout the event, and the aircraft eventually came to a halt on the runway.
There were no injuries reported among the two flight crew members and one cargo agent on board. However, the aircraft suffered significant damage to the left propeller, the fuselage, and the left landing gear assembly.
The investigation
The TSB examined the sequence of the landing and the structural integrity of the landing gear following the impact. The investigation focused on the mechanics of the touchdown and the subsequent breakage of the gear component.