What happened
A scheduled flight operated by Sowind Air Ltd. departed St. Andrews, Manitoba, bound for Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba. The Embrael EMB-110P1 Bandeirante, registration C-GVRO, was carrying a crew of two and 15 passengers at the time of the accident.
Upon arriving at Little Grand Rapids, the flight crew attempted an instrument approach but was forced to execute a missed approach because they could not establish the necessary visual references. During a second attempt, witnesses on the ground and passengers on board noted the aircraft flying at a very low altitude over a lake east of the standard approach path. Passengers reported that after an increase in engine power, the aircraft performed a series of steep banks. The aircraft subsequently struck trees approximately 400 feet south and 1,600 feet east of runway 36. The accident resulted in 4 fatalities and 13 injuries.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the aircraft was operating in marginal weather conditions characterized by fog and low cloud ceilings. The crew flew below the minimum descent altitude for the approach and below the required minimum en route altitude for commuter operations. Several contributing factors were identified:
- The aircraft was approximately 1,000 pounds above its maximum allowable weight during both takeoff and landing.
- The crew utilized a GPS as their primary navigational tool, despite it not being approved for that purpose.
- The aircraft lacked a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and flight recorders (CVR/FDR).
- The pilot likely experienced a somatogravic illusion following an increase in engine power, leading to uncontrolled maneuvers at low altitude.
- There were significant regulatory oversight failures regarding the operator's transition to commuter operations and the accuracy of weight and balance documentation.