Introduction
On December 13, a single-engine airplane departed Nashua Airport, New Hampshire, en route to Nuuk, Greenland, with an intermediate stop in Goose Bay. Due to poor weather conditions at the destination, the pilot diverted to Seven Islands Airport, Quebec, where the couple spent the night.
Flight History
The following morning, December 14, the airplane departed Seven Islands Airport at 0820 local time bound for Goose Bay. At approximately 0958, the aircraft crossed the final approach fix/waypoint FAFKO at 2,800 feet above sea level with a ground speed of 104 knots and began the final descent. The descent remained steady on a 3° profile, but ground speed continuously decreased for about 60 seconds. At 1000:31, the pilot reported at waypoint SATAK, with ground speed having increased to above 80 knots. The tower provided updated wind information and cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 08; the pilot acknowledged at 1000:49.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after, the ground speed again began to decrease at a rate similar to the previous decrease. At 1002:47, ground speed had dropped to 51 knots. The aircraft then departed controlled flight and impacted terrain approximately 2.5 nautical miles southwest of the airport along the extended centerline of Runway 08.
Rescue
The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter activated, and a signal was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 1006. A helicopter search and rescue mission launched from Canadian Forces Base 5 Wing Goose Bay at 1036 and arrived at the accident site three minutes later. Medical technicians extricated both occupants, who were seriously injured. They were airlifted to a waiting ambulance and transported to the local hospital. The pilot later died of his injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation
The official investigation noted that due to the absence of data for the last minute of the flight, the complete sequence of events leading to the loss of control and collision with terrain could not be determined.