What happened
During a nighttime visual approach to Norman Wells (YVQ), a BN-2A Islander encountered low cloud ceilings and limited visibility. While flying at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the aircraft transitioned through the cloud base. During this period, the pilot identified lights on the ground and incorrectly identified them as the town of Norman Wells.
In an effort to descend below the clouds and establish a visual right-hand circling approach for runway 08, the pilot lowered the aircraft's altitude. While executing a turn toward a northerly heading, the plane impacted the ice of the Mackenzie River. The impact caused the right main landing gear to detach. Following the strike, the aircraft bounced and continued flying for roughly half a mile before sliding 600 feet across smooth ice, eventually coming to a halt after striking large ice blocks.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors. The pilot misidentified lights from oil installations as the lights of the town, which led to the navigational error. Furthermore, the pilot descended below a cloud base that was reported at 500 feet, entering an area where clouds and ground fog merged. This descent resulted in the aircraft reaching ground level. Additionally, a malfunctioning instrument panel light prevented the pilot from maintaining continuous visibility of the altimeter.