What happened
On December 1, 1993, a Shorts SD3-30 Variant 300, registered as C-FPQE, was conducting a private flight from Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq, Quebec. The aircraft was transporting employees to inspect electrical facilities along the Hudson Bay coast. While executing a turn onto the final approach for runway 21 at Umiujaq Airport, the aircraft entered a stall. Although the pilot-in-command attempted to recover by applying full power, the aircraft could not gain enough altitude to clear rising terrain, resulting in a collision with the ground. The crash resulted in minor injuries for the two crew members and two of the 11 passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance, the meteorological conditions, and the regulatory environment surrounding state-operated flights. Investigators found that the aircraft's engines were at full power and the flaps were extended at the time of impact. The wreckage examination revealed that ice had formed on the leading edges of the wings. The crew had not activated the wing de-icer boots, as the manual suggests waiting for a thicker accumulation to prevent ice bridging.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into the descent profile used by the crew. While the crew reported visibility of over 1.5 miles, the investigation noted a discrepancy in how Air Regulations regarding altitude minimums in uncontrolled airspace were interpreted by different branches of Transport Canada.