History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Hawker Siddeley 748 Series 2A Model 234, departed Winnipeg, Manitoba, at 1438 central standard time (CST) on 10 November 1993, operating as scheduled flight NAM 205/206 with stops at Sandy Lake, Ontario; St. Theresa Point, Manitoba; Island Lake, Manitoba; and return to Winnipeg. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR).
Upon arrival at Sandy Lake at approximately 1549 CST, the crew attempted to land but were unable because of low ceiling and visibility. They diverted to St. Theresa Point, landing at 1630 CST. After a normal turnaround, the flight departed St. Theresa Point at 1720 CST for Sandy Lake, landing at approximately 1745 CST. At Sandy Lake, 22 passengers deplaned, leaving four passengers on board; the aircraft was not refueled. Both engines were shut down during the stop.
The aircraft took off from runway 29 at Sandy Lake at approximately 1805 CST and immediately entered a right turn. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a lower than normal height throughout the turn. After turning through approximately 120 degrees, the aircraft descended into 100-foot trees and crashed about one nautical mile northwest of the airport. The accident occurred during hours of darkness. The wreckage was located at latitude 5304'71"N, longitude 9321'38"W, at an elevation of approximately 940 feet above sea level.
Injuries and Damage
All seven occupants—two pilots, one flight attendant, and four passengers—were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact with trees and terrain. Fuel from the aircraft spilled into the swampy crash site.
Personnel Information
The captain, aged 52, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with 16,000 total flying hours, including 4,500 hours on type. He had failed two previous PPC rides on the HS 748 and had received comments indicating difficulty with a missed approach power loss procedure. The first officer, aged 34, also held an ATPL with 6,500 total flying hours, including 1,100 hours on type; he had failed multiple check rides during his career. Both pilots had been on duty for 10 hours prior to the accident. The flight attendant had been employed by Air Manitoba since 1984.
Probable Cause
According to the investigation, the crew most likely lost situational awareness after takeoff and did not detect the increasing deviation from their intended flight path. Contributing to this loss of situational awareness was the lack of AC power to some flight instruments; the reason for the AC power loss could not be determined.