What happened
On a scheduled flight from Calgary to Lloydminster, Alberta, a British Aerospace Jetstream 31, registration C-FBIE, was performing a non-precision approach to runway 25 under night conditions with blowing snow and mist. The aircraft was carrying a two-pilot crew and 13 passengers.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the captain took control from the first officer upon gaining visual contact with the runway environment. During this transition, the aircraft's configuration was changed, and the pilot reduced engine power to flight idle. The aircraft subsequently experienced a high rate of descent that was not corrected before touchdown.
Upon contact with the runway, the aircraft suffered a heavy landing while drifting across the pavement. This impact caused the left main landing gear to collapse and resulted in both propellers striking the runway surface. The aircraft slid approximately 1,800 feet on its belly pod before the left wing struck snow at the runway edge, causing the plane to rotate 160 degrees. All 15 occupants successfully evacuated through an over-wing exit; there were no injuries and no fire.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the stability of the final approach and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. Investigators analyzed flight data from the FDR and cockpit voice recordings from the CVR. The examination of the landing gear components revealed that the failures of the left main gear spigots and the right main gear radius rod were due to overstress from the impact.
Engine and propeller performance were reviewed, noting that power had been reduced to flight idle, which increased drag and contributed to the descent rate. The investigation also looked into the presence of airframe ice and the discrepancy between the aircraft's Flight Manual and company SOPs regarding the timing of de-icing boot cycles relative to flap selection.