What happened
On a charter flight originating from Port-Menier, Quebec, bound for Bangor, Maine, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain encountered mechanical difficulties during its transit. At 11:13 ADT, the aircraft was carrying one pilot and seven passengers. As the flight approached the vicinity of Charlo, New Brunswick, the pilot contacted the Moncton Air Traffic Control Centre to report that one of the engines was running roughly.
Following this report, the pilot declared an intention to perform an emergency landing at the Charlo airport. During the maneuvers required to reach the airfield, the aircraft impacted the ground approximately three miles west of the runway within the community of Eel River Crossing. The impact resulted in eight fatalities, with no survivors among the crew or passengers.
Findings
- The pilot identified a rough-running engine prior to the emergency descent.
- The aircraft crashed while attempting to divert to an alternate landing site.