What happened
A charter flight departed Winnipeg, Manitoba, bound for La Ronde, Saskatchewan, after an initial stop in Prince Albert. The mission involved transporting four passengers to a fishing destination. During the early climb phase, the aircraft was cleared to an altitude of 22,000 feet.
Approximately thirteen minutes into the flight, the crew received permission to change their heading to bypass weather cells detected on radar. Shortly thereafter, the crew reported experiencing intense turbulence and requested new vectors to exit the weather system. During this period, the aircraft emerged from the base of a dark cloud at a low altitude. The aircraft type subsequently impacted a reed-covered island within a marsh at high velocity while in a 60-degree nose-down position. The crash site was located roughly 27 km north of Portage la Prairie. There were six fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical factors. It was determined that the captain failed to properly evaluate forecasted weather conditions and did not implement necessary maneuvers to steer clear of the storm. The aircraft entered thunderstorm conditions, which led to a total loss of control. Additionally, it was noted that the flight crew lacked the appropriate qualifications for this specific aircraft type.