What happened
On 29 October 1974, a Panarctic Lockheed L-188 (registration CF-PAB) was conducting a flight from Edmonton to Rea Point. The aircraft, carrying 30 passengers and a crew of four, was executing a straight-in VOR/DME approach to runway 33. During the descent, the crew observed what appeared to be open water and ice below them. At approximately 300 feet radio altitude, the pilot-in-command mistakenly believed the aircraft was flying above a cloud layer. Following this observation, the pilot reduced engine power and applied significant forward pressure on the control column, resulting in a sudden increase in the rate of descent to between 1700 and 2000 feet per minute.
As the aircraft descended through 200 feet and eventually through 50 feet radio altitude, the co-pilot and flight engineer attempted to alert the pilot-in-command, but there was no response. The crew's attempts to intervene were hindered by the pilot's lack of reaction. The aircraft struck the surface, causing the cockpit area to detach from the main fuselage. The separated cockpit and cargo slid 900 feet across the ice. While the flight engineer managed to assist the injured co-pilot to safety, the cockpit section eventually sank into the ice.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors:
- The approach was maintained below the approved minimum descent altitude.
- The pilot-in-command reacted inappropriately to a visual cue, triggering the rapid descent.
- Partial incapacitation of the pilot-in-command prevented recovery from the high rate of descent.
- There was insufficient crew coordination during the final stages of the approach.
- A lack of standardized company manuals meant crew duties and responsibilities were not adequately defined.
- The flight was operated under private category standards rather than established commercial standards.
- Emergency response procedures at the aerodrome were found to be inadequate.