What happened
On a return flight from Winnipeg International Airport to Sioux Lookout Airport, a Beechcraft A100, registration C-GILM, was operating without passengers following a completed medevac mission. The crew consisted of two pilots and two paramedics. During the approach into Sioux Lookout, weather conditions included freezing drizzle, visibility of three statute miles, and an overcast ceiling at 400 feet AGL.
After two unsuccessful NDB approaches for runway 34 resulted in missed approaches, the captain assumed control of the aircraft to perform a third attempt. Although the crew regained visual contact with the runway, the aircraft was positioned too high on the final approach. In an effort to reduce speed, the captain requested full flaps and adjusted the propellers. This maneuver led to a high rate of descent that could not be corrected before the left main landing gear struck the runway with significant force.
Following the touchdown, the aircraft taxied toward the company ramp, where it began pulling sharply to the left. An inspection by maintenance and operational staff revealed that the steering scissors had failed and the main wheels were misaligned. Further examination of the aircraft determined that the rear spar of the left wing had also suffered a failure near a flap actuator pass-through hole.
Findings
Post-flight inspections confirmed that the structural damage to both the landing gear components and the wing spar was caused by an overload condition. This damage was consistent with the impact of a heavy landing on the left side of the aircraft. While some ice accumulation was noted on the propeller spinner following flight through clouds, the aircraft's de-icing systems were fully operational and utilized during the flight.