Incident Overview
On approximately 25-May-1986, an aircraft made a landing on lake ice at Reliance, Northwest Territories. During taxiing, the nose gear settled into a crack in the ice, posing a risk of sinking.
Initial Recovery Efforts
Local residents intervened to prevent the aircraft from sinking further, using pallets and empty drums to support it. Meanwhile, the insurance company assessed potential methods for removing the aircraft. However, before any removal could be executed, the aircraft continued to sink until only the tail remained above the water's surface.
Military Assistance
A military Chinook helicopter was eventually dispatched to Reliance. The helicopter successfully lifted the aircraft out of the lake and set it down in front of the weather station. Preparations were then made to sling-load the aircraft for transport 143 nautical miles to Yellowknife.
Subsequent Loss
After lift-off and after traveling approximately 200 yards, the helicopter's loadmaster elected to drop the aircraft. Upon release, the aircraft plowed nose-first into the lake, breaking through the remaining lake ice. Some parts of the aircraft were salvageable and were barged back to Yellowknife, but the aircraft itself was declared a total loss.
Source Attribution
Text and photos courtesy of www.twinotterworld.com.