Accident Details
The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules from Edmonton City Centre Airport to Kirby Lake, Alberta. At approximately 1114 Mountain Daylight Time, while conducting an approach to Runway 08 at Kirby Lake Airport, the aircraft struck the ground 174 feet short of the runway threshold. It bounced and came to rest off the edge of the runway. A small post-impact electrical fire in the cockpit was extinguished by survivors and first responders. The emergency locator transmitter activated on impact.
Occupants and Injuries
There were two flight crew members and eight passengers on board. The captain sustained fatal injuries. Four occupants, including the co-pilot, sustained serious injuries. The five remaining passengers received minor injuries. All passengers were employees of BP.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the following causes and contributing factors: The conduct of the flight crew members during the instrument approach prevented them from effectively monitoring the performance of the aircraft. During the descent below the minimum descent altitude, the airspeed reduced to a point where the aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. There was insufficient altitude to effect recovery prior to ground impact. For unknown reasons, the stall warning horn did not activate; this may have provided the crew with an opportunity to avoid the impending stall.
Additional risk factors noted by the investigation include the use of company standard weights and a non-current weight and balance report, resulting in an inaccurate departure weight; flying an instrument approach using a navigational display outside the normal pilot scan; flying an abbreviated approach profile without proper transition altitudes; and not applying cold temperature correction values to approach altitudes.