Accident Overview
On a flight intended to locate caribou herds, a ski-equipped aircraft departed Mirage Outfitter, located approximately 60 miles east of La Grande-4 Airport, Quebec, at around 1130 eastern standard time. The aircraft carried a pilot and four passengers. About 40 minutes after departure, the engine stopped as a result of fuel starvation. The pilot was unable to regain power and performed a forced landing on rugged ground. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, and two passengers were seriously injured.
Aftermath
The pilot used a satellite telephone to request assistance. First-aid personnel arrived by helicopter approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes after the occurrence.
Aircraft and Modification
The aircraft's fuel system had been modified following the installation of wings manufactured by Advanced Wing Technologies Corporation.
Probable Cause
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors: 1. The engine stopped as a result of fuel starvation; the amount of fuel in the wings was less than the amount estimated by the pilot, the fuel senders gave an incorrect reading, and the low fuel pressure warning light could illuminate randomly. 2. The engine stopped at low altitude, which reduced the time needed to complete the emergency procedure. The pilot was unable to glide to a lake and made a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, causing significant damage to the aircraft and injuries to the occupants.
Findings as to Risk: 1. The wing tank selection system was subject to icing in cold weather, and the pilots adopted the practice to place the wing tank selector in the middle position, contrary to the aircraft flight manual supplement instructions and a placard posted on the instrument panel. 2. When the change to the type design was approved through issuance of the Supplementary Type Certificate (STC), Transport Canada did not notice that the fuel senders and triple fuel level gauge did not meet airworthiness standards; the STC contained several deficiencies. 3. Storage of the shoulder harnesses underneath the aircraft interior covering made them inaccessible; since the pilot and the front seat passenger did not wear their shoulder harness, their protection was reduced.