Synopsis
On an unspecified date, a Sky North Air Ltd. Beechcraft A100 (registration C-FSNA, serial number B-227) departed Runway 32 at Gods Lake Narrows, Manitoba, for Thompson, Manitoba. The aircraft was carrying two pilots, a flight nurse, and two patients—five persons total. Shortly after takeoff, while in a climbing left turn, smoke and flames emanated from the pedestal area in the cockpit. The crew continued the turn, intending to return to Runway 14 at Gods Lake Narrows. The aircraft contacted trees and came to rest in a wooded area about one-half nautical mile northwest of the airport at 2140 central standard time.
Narrative
All five occupants evacuated the aircraft; two received minor injuries. The accident site was located at approximately 0250, and the occupants were evacuated. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was consumed by the fire; whether it transmitted a signal is unknown.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified an electrical short circuit in the cockpit pedestal area as the source of the flames and smoke that prompted the crew's emergency actions. The detrimental effects of aging on the wires involved may have been a factor in the electrical arc event. The crew elected to return to the airport at low level in an environment with inadequate visual references, leading to loss of control at an altitude from which recovery was not possible.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause includes: (1) An electrical short circuit in the cockpit pedestal area produced flames and smoke, which induced the crew to take emergency action. (2) The detrimental effects of aging on the wires involved may have been a factor in this electrical arc event. (3) The crew elected to return to the airport at low level in an environment with inadequate visual references. As a result, control of the aircraft was lost at an altitude from which a recovery was not possible.