Incident Overview
On a flight from Fort McMurray Airport to Edmonton Municipal Airport, a twin-engine airplane crashed onto the roof of the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The aircraft departed Fort McMurray at 1706 local time with two pilots on board. The first officer, occupying the left seat and controlling the aircraft, was cleared to descend to 5,500 feet for a visual approach to runway 30 at Edmonton Municipal.
Sequence of Events
While below cloud at 8,000 feet and approximately 40 miles north of the airport, the first officer observed the lights of Fort Saskatchewan ahead and to the left, and the Municipal Airport ahead and to the right. He subsequently had no recollection of the following events. Witnesses reported that the aircraft appeared stable but lower than normal on final approach. It then suddenly banked sharply to the left and dropped at a steep angle toward the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft struck and penetrated the side of the mechanical penthouse, a structure housing heating, ventilating, and electrical equipment, and came to rest on the wider roof of the six-storey hospital. The aircraft was destroyed, and both crew members sustained serious injuries. The pilot died the following day from injuries sustained in the accident.
Investigation Findings
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was a reduction or loss of engine power to one or both engines for undetermined reasons, followed by a departure from controlled flight on final approach.