Incident
The aircraft, a Twin Otter, departed Fort Norman at 16:51 and arrived overhead Fort Franklin at approximately 17:15. At that time, Fort Franklin was shrouded in fog. A local resident contacted the pilot on a portable VHF transceiver and advised him that visibility was little or none. The pilot replied that he did not think he would be able to land. The resident drove to the airstrip and contacted the pilot again when he heard the aircraft returning. He reported that visibility was 200 to 300 feet. The pilot asked whether this was the vertical or horizontal visibility. At that moment, the Twin Otter struck a 200-foot-high telecommunications tower while in controlled level flight. Part of the right wing broke off, and the aircraft slowly rolled over before striking the ground.
Pilot Background
The pilot had been involved in four accidents since March 1984. His previous employer terminated his employment on 31 August 1984, stating that in their opinion, his ability to make operational decisions was in question. One month later, he was hired by Nahanni Air Services. The source notes that the decision of the pilot to continue the approach in foggy weather was possibly influenced by the effects of stress and a greater than usual personal need to complete the flight. The stress was probably caused by the fact that the pilot had been involved in four accidents and had been terminated.
Weather and Communications
The weather at Fort Franklin was unsuitable for the flight. The flight was continued into weather below that required for VFR flight. An approach to the aerodrome was attempted using the radar altimeter to provide terrain clearance. The pilot descended to an altitude below the height of the telecommunications tower. A lack of official weather observations and of communications facilities at Fort Franklin deprived the pilot of reliable local weather information on which to base his decisions.
Official Findings
The official probable cause findings reported: the weather at Fort Franklin was unsuitable; the flight was continued into weather below VFR minimums; an approach was attempted using the radar altimeter; the pilot descended below the tower height; lack of official weather observations and communications; a different attitude regarding risk assessment in remote areas likely influenced decisions; the pilot's decisions may have been influenced by stress and personal need; and company management might have better appreciated risk potential if more aware of stress effects.