Seaplane Accident at Nuuk: 15 Passengers Drowned After Nose Wheel Door Failure (CF-IHA)

Flight and Crash Sequence The aircraft completed an uneventful flight from Sondreströmfjord before beginning its descent to Nuuk. The landing was made on a water area that had not been patrolled, which was contrary to current safety rules. Both pilots initially considered the touchdown to be normal. However, after a run of a few seconds, the aircraft swerved abruptly to starboard and assumed an increasingly nose-down attitude. A steadily progressing but very quick deceleration took place, and the seaplane plunged into the water, coming to rest partially submerged. All three crew members and three passengers were rescued, but 15 passengers drowned. ## Probable Cause The technical investigation concluded that a mechanical malfunction most likely prevented the nose wheel doors from closing and locking. An aperture of 70 mm was present when the landing took place. The gaping doors were torn off when the aircraft, having landed at rather high speed, sank deeply into the water. The extremely great water pressure in the nose wheel well forced the aft bulkhead of the well inwards, resulting in severe damage to the front cabin.