What happened
During an emergency medical transport mission, a twin engine airplane departed from North Bay, heading toward Arnprixor. The flight was operated with a crew consisting of two pilots and one physician. While operating under visual flight rules, the flight crew received clearance to perform a VOR/DME approach toward runway 28.
As the aircraft was on short final approach, it descended below the required altitude and struck the terrain approximately 50 metres before the runway threshold. The force of the impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, leading to a long excursion where the plane slid for roughly 600 metres across the ground. Although the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, all three occupants were able to evacuate the wreckage without injury.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in a low-altitude state during the final stages of the approach.
- The primary factor in the accident was the low altitude of the aircraft during the short final phase of flight.