What happened
On 17 April 2023, a Pilatus PC-12/47E operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police departed from Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport (CYXY) bound for Yellowknife Airport (CYZF). The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules with the pilot serving as the only person on board. During the initial climb from Runway 32L, the aircraft's stall warning system triggered, producing an audible alert and activating the stick shaker.
Following the warning, the pilot notified air traffic control of the decision to return to the airport for a landing. While attempting to maneuver visually for a landing on Runway 32L, the aircraft struck the ground roughly 520 feet west-southwest of the displaced threshold. The aircraft was in a right-wing-low attitude at the moment of impact. After hitting the terrain, the left wing struck a pile of millings, causing the aircraft to roll onto its left side and slide about 130 feet along an airport service road. The aircraft, registered as C-GMPX, was destroyed in the accident, though no fire occurred after the impact.
Findings
Emergency responders arrived at the scene within minutes to assist the pilot, who was able to exit through the emergency door. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the event. An emergency locator transmitter signal was successfully detected by the search and rescue satellite system following the crash.