What happened
On a morning flight in Manitoba, a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registered as C-GOSU, was traveling from Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport toward North Spirit Lake, Ontario. The aircraft, operated by Keystone Air Service Limited as Flight 213, was carrying a total of five people, including one pilot and four passengers.
During the approach to Runway 13 at North Spirit Lake, the aircraft made contact with the frozen surface of the lake. The impact occurred approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the runway threshold. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the airframe due to the force of the impact and a subsequent fire. The accident resulted in 4 fatalities and 1 serious injury.
Findings
Following the initial impact, a fire broke out and consumed the aircraft. The emergency locator transmitter ceased its transmission after the fire destroyed the antenna wire.