Accident Overview
A cargo flight conducting a multi-leg journey from Toronto to Seoul, with intermediate stops in Edmonton and Vancouver, was destroyed after crashing short of the runway. The aircraft was carrying two passengers, three crew members, and a load of 86 Holstein cows. All five occupants and the cattle were killed in the accident.
Flight and Weather Conditions
The flight had been uneventful until the approach phase. The crew was cleared for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 29. Weather conditions at the time were poor, characterized by limited visibility due to night, snowfall, and turbulence as a cold front approached the area.
Sequence of Events
The copilot was the pilot flying. On short final, the copilot failed to recognize that the sink rate was excessively high. The captain then attempted to regain control. The aircraft struck poplar trees located 3,137 meters short of the runway, then hit electric cables, stalled, and crashed in flames in a gravel pit less than three kilometers from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the accident resulted from a combination of factors: The crew was fatigued, with the captain having been on duty for 29 hours without sufficient rest. Approach procedure negligence and poor crew coordination were present. Difficult weather conditions—low clouds, snowfall, and turbulence—compounded the situation. Additionally, the copilot was inexperienced, having recently been promoted to the Boeing 707, and this was his first approach after a six-week holiday period. Technical issues with the generators on engines 1 and 4 during final approach were also reported.