Accident Overview
A medical evacuation flight departed Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia, for Sandspit Airport in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. The aircraft carried two pilots and a team of two Advanced Life Support Paramedics. Upon arrival at Sandspit, surface winds were strong, gusty, and across the runway.
Sequence of Events
The crew conducted an instrument approach to Runway 30. Just before touchdown, the aircraft's nose pitched down. The captain believed that the nosewheel and then the main gear collapsed as the aircraft slid on its belly. The crew carried out an evacuation and proceeded to the airport terminal building. When they returned to the aircraft to retrieve their belongings, they discovered that the landing gear was in the up position, as was the landing gear selector. The accident occurred at 2052 Pacific standard time. There were no injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew did not complete the before-landing checks, ignored aural warnings, and did not lower the landing gear, which resulted in a gear-up landing.