No fatalities

Ferry Flight Crew Survives Ice Sheet Strike Over Denmark (N731A)

Narsarsuaq, GreenlandFlight

On October 8, 1991, an Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante (registration N731A) operated by BAC Express Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Narsarsuaq, Greenland in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft on a ferry flight from Springfield, Missouri to Southend, UK struck an ice sheet at 5,125 feet after descending from 9,000 feet due to icing conditions. All three crew members survived and were rescued by the Danish Navy.

Incident Overview

A twin-engine aircraft conducting a ferry flight encountered icing conditions, prompting the crew to descend from 9,000 feet to remain below the cloud deck. During the descent, the aircraft struck an ice sheet at a speed of 180 knots at an altitude of 5,125 feet.

Meteorological Conditions

At the time of the accident, the cloud base was reported at 3,000 feet. Surface winds were from 7° at 7 knots, with 10 kilometers of visibility in moderate rain.

Crew and Rescue

All three crew members on board survived the impact. They were subsequently rescued by a Danish Navy Lynx helicopter and transported to safety.

Flight Details

The flight originated at Springfield Airport (SGF) in Missouri, USA, and was destined for Southend Municipal Airport (SEN) in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the flight was a ferry operation.

Investigation

The accident investigation is ongoing, with focus on the circumstances leading to the encounter with the ice sheet and the aircraft's performance under icing conditions.