What happened
A twin-engine aircraft was operating an air ambulance mission from Timmins to Chapleau, tasked with transporting two medical professionals and two pilots. The mission parameters involved picking up a patient in Chapleau for subsequent transport to Sault Sainte Marie.
While cruising at 12,000 feet, the flight proceeded without incident until the crew initiated a night descent toward the destination. During the final approach using the NDB (Non-Directional Beacon), the aircraft impacted the terrain approximately 2.5 km southwest of the Chapleau airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the twin-engine aircraft and caused four fatalities, leaving no survivors among the crew or medical staff.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the flight crew had descended to an altitude below the minimum required for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations while approaching the Chapleau NDB. The investigation could not establish a specific reason why the crew permitted the aircraft to descend into the ground while in controlled flight.