What happened
During a nighttime flight originating from Tampa, a four-engine aircraft was performing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach toward runway 10 at Toronto-Malton Airport. The approach was conducted under challenging weather conditions, characterized by a ceiling of only 300 feet. While executing the approach, the aircraft descended below the established glide slope and impacted the terrain approximately 11 miles from the runway threshold.
Following the impact, the aircraft slid for roughly 2,000 feet before catching fire. The accident resulted in 23 injuries among the occupants, though there were no fatalities reported. The aircraft was destroyed during the event.
Findings
An official Board of Inquiry determined that the primary cause of the accident was pilot negligence. Investigations revealed that the captain failed to maintain proper airmanship and ignored several critical flight instruments, including the altimeter, the ILSS glide path needle, and the ADF receiver. Specifically, the pilot did not properly account for strong prevailing winds and failed to use the ADF to home in on the outer marker.
Furthermore, the investigation noted that the captain disregarded multiple warnings from the first officer regarding the aircraft's altitude. The captain operated under the incorrect assumption that the aircraft was much closer to the airport than its actual position. By failing to follow approved procedures, the pilot violated regulations concerning minimum altitudes for intersecting the glide path and crossing the outer marker, ultimately descending into the ground.