Accident Overview
At 1317 local time, a charter flight departed Gander, Newfoundland, carrying a crew of three and a cargo of freight. The destination was Cartwright, Labrador. Witnesses observed the aircraft approaching Sandwich Bay near Cartwright Harbor with the main undercarriage extended.
Accident Details
The aircraft appeared to land on the water with the main wheels contacting the surface. Immediately after the wheels touched, the aircraft came to a sudden stop. The tail then rose to a vertical position before settling back at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. All three crew members on board were killed.
Investigation
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident. The aircraft crashed on the water through failure on the part of the pilot-in-command to ensure that the main undercarriage was retracted.