Accident Sequence
Propair flight 450, a Swearingen SA226TC (serial number TC-215E) carrying 13 persons, operated as a charter flight from La Grande Rivière, Quebec, to Puvirnituq, Quebec. The co-pilot, seated in the right-hand seat, was flying the aircraft. After conducting an instrument approach to runway 19, the aircraft broke through the cloud layer, and the co-pilot transitioned to visual flight for the final approach.
Upon touchdown of the nose gear, the aircraft veered left. The co-pilot applied full right rudder and reduced the throttles to GROUND IDLE in anticipation of reverse thrust. Shortly afterward, the pilot-in-command took over control of the aircraft while leaving the throttle levers at GROUND IDLE. He noticed the aircraft drifting further left and found that even full right rudder could not correct the drift. As a last resort, he pressed the PARK button for the nosewheel steering system, but the aircraft continued its path toward the runway edge and ultimately crashed at the bottom of the embankment.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft departed the runway approximately 2,000 feet from the threshold, having turned left 90 degrees relative to the runway centerline. When the aircraft fell from the runway shoulder to the bottom of the embankment, the nose gear and main landing gear separated from the airframe.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause stated that the aircraft left the runway during the landing roll because the nosewheel was probably deflected left, for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident were a lack of communication in the cockpit and the actions taken by the crew to maintain directional control of the aircraft.