Accident
A twin-engine aircraft departed Sondreströmfjord on a charter flight bound for Goose Bay. On board were six sailors and two pilots. Seventeen minutes after takeoff, while cruising at Flight Level 220, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The crew did not transmit any distress call. At an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet, the aircraft disintegrated, and debris scattered over a wide area.
The wreckage was located about 148 nautical miles southwest of Sondreströmfjord. All eight occupants were killed.
Investigation
The investigation found no evidence from post-mortem examinations suggesting any contributory factor by the occupants. There were no radio transmissions indicating that the crew were concerned about any problem. Additionally, no evidence of fire, engine failure, explosion, or structural or mechanical defect was found prior to the in-flight breakup.
Evaluation of air traffic control recordings indicated that an impairment of the crew was present, consistent with, but not confirmatory of, hypoxia.
Probable Cause
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. The investigation reported that there was no evidence of a pre-existing defect or emergency, and that crew impairment consistent with hypoxia may have been a factor, though this was not confirmed.