Fatal Night Approach Accident at Chapleau (C-GJUL)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A twin-engine aircraft was operating an ambulance flight from Timmins to Chapleau. The aircraft was carrying two medical staff members and two pilots. The intended mission involved boarding a patient in Chapleau for transfer to Sault Sainte Marie. The flight proceeded without incident at flight level 120 before the crew began a night descent to Chapleau. During a final NDB approach, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 2.5 kilometers southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all four occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the flight crew descended below the minimum applicable IFR altitude while approaching the Chapleau NDB. The investigation could not determine why the crew allowed the aircraft to descend, in controlled flight, into the ground.