What happened
During a supply mission in the Nunavut region, an aircraft carrying a crew and three scientists landed on snow-covered terrain located approximately 168 km north of Alert Air Base. The aircraft, which was equipped with skis for arctic operations, came to a stop on the surface. However, during the landing sequence, the right ski pierced the ice, causing the aircraft to partially sink into the frozen ground. At the time of the incident, both engines were still operational.
All five occupants successfully exited the aircraft without sustaining any injuries. A rescue operation was conducted two hours later, with a Bell 407 helicopter transporting the group to Resolute Bay. Due to the extent of the damage, the aircraft was deemed beyond repair and left at the site. The registration was officially removed from the registry in November 2011.
Findings
- The incident was caused by the right ski puncturing the ice during the landing process.