Accident Overview
A flight from Sioux Lookout to Red Lake proceeded without incident until the final descent, conducted at night in light snow conditions. The ceiling was 2,000 feet with visibility 8 statute miles. While on final approach to Runway 26, the crew reported being south of the airport and declared an emergency. Shortly after the mayday call, the aircraft struck power cables and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located 800 meters south of the airport.
Occupant Injuries and Fatalities
Two passengers seated in the rear of the aircraft sustained serious injuries. All five other occupants, including both pilots, were killed.
Engine Failure and Loss of Control
According to the official investigation, the left engine experienced a first-stage turbine wheel blade failure due to a combination of metallurgical issues and stator vane burn-through. As a result, the left engine continued to operate but suffered a near-total loss of power at approximately 500 feet above ground level during the final approach to Runway 26 at Red Lake Airport. The crew was unable to identify the nature of the engine malfunction, which prevented them from taking timely and appropriate action to control the aircraft. The malfunction caused the left propeller to be at a very low blade angle; combined with the aircraft's landing configuration, this resulted in a high-drag and asymmetric state. When the aircraft's speed dropped below minimum control speed (VMC), the crew lost control at an altitude from which recovery was not possible.