Accident Description
Following an uneventful flight from Tampa, the captain initiated a night ILS approach to Toronto-Malton Airport. Weather conditions were poor, with a ceiling of 300 feet. During the approach, the four-engine aircraft descended below the glide path and struck the ground approximately 11 miles short of runway 10. The aircraft slid for 2,000 feet before coming to rest in flames. All 23 occupants sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The Board of Inquiry determined that the accident resulted from negligence on the part of the captain. Specific findings included:
- The first officer demonstrated alertness regarding the captain's procedures, noting conditions requiring correction on three occasions.
- The captain exhibited poor airmanship by failing to adequately account for the strong prevailing wind and by not using the ADF receiver to home on the outer marker.
- The captain did not execute an approved ILS let-down, ignoring indications from the ADF needle tuned to the marker, the ILS glide path needle, and the altimeter regarding the aircraft's position and altitude.
- The captain disregarded the first officer's warning that the aircraft had descended below the regulation height.
- The captain was under the mistaken impression that the aircraft was much closer to the airport than it actually was.
- The captain violated regulations concerning the minimum altitude for glide path interception, crossing the outer marker, and the minimum descent altitude on approach without visual contact, continuing the descent until impact with the ground.
Probable Cause
The Board of Inquiry found that the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the captain, as detailed in the findings above.