History of the Flight
The privately owned Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Westwind II aircraft was en route from Edmonton Municipal Airport, Alberta, to Meadow Lake aerodrome, Saskatchewan. Low ceilings and reduced visibility were reported near the destination. The crew completed a straight-in instrument approach to runway 08 and began a circling procedure to the south to set up for landing on runway 26.
The aircraft passed overhead the aerodrome at approximately 400 feet above ground level (agl), then turned and proceeded in level flight southeast. About two and a half miles from the aerodrome, it entered several steep-banked rolling maneuvers. Immediately after, the aircraft descended and struck the ground in a nose-high, slightly right-wing-low attitude. The impact produced high deceleration forces. The aircraft broke into sections, internal fuel tanks ruptured, and a severe post-crash fire engulfed the wreckage. Emergency services responded from Meadow Lake and arrived within minutes. Both pilots died in the crash. The accident occurred at 0855 central standard time during daylight hours.
Injuries and Damage
Both crew members sustained fatal injuries. No passengers were on board. The aircraft was destroyed by deceleration forces and consumed by fire. The crash also damaged a rural powerline, causing a temporary power outage for Meadow Lake's northwest sector. Aviation fuel and debris spread across an agricultural field.
Flight Crew Information
The pilot-in-command, aged 46, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with 15,650 total flight hours, including 1,000 on type. The co-pilot, aged 33, also held an ATPL with 3,200 total hours, including 1,500 on type. Both had completed recurrent training in October 1993 that emphasized circling approach procedures. They had no known medical incapacitation.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an IAI 1124A Westwind II, manufactured in 1982, serial number 380. It had a total airframe time of 4,810 hours and was powered by two TFE731-3-1G engines. The aircraft was properly certified and airworthy. Fuel used was Jet A.
Investigation Findings
The Board determined that while circling to land on runway 26, the aircraft performed a non-typical circling procedure at a lower than published circling altitude, leading to loss of control consistent with an accelerated stall, and descended into terrain before recovery could be completed. Whiteout conditions may have contributed to this occurrence. No pre-impact aircraft failure or system malfunction was found.