What happened
On 22 December 2012, a Fairchild SA227-AC Metro III, registered as C-GFWX, was operating a charter service from Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport to Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. The flight, identified as PAG993, arrived at the destination during the night. The crew initially attempted a visual approach to Runway 09 but transitioned to a non-precision approach using the non-directional beacon (NDB) for Runway 27. After establishing visual contact with the runway environment, the crew began a circling maneuver for Runway 09; however, they lost visual contact with the runway and subsequently returned to the Saniguak NDB to perform a second approach for Runway 27.
During this second approach, the crew regained visual contact with the runway environment after passing the missed approach point. While performing a steep descent, the pilot initiated a rejected landing when the aircraft was between 20 and 50 feet above the surface. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground roughly 525 feet past the departure end of Runway 27. The impact triggered the 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter. The accident resulted in 1 fatality and several injuries, including 2 crew members and 6 passengers who sustained various levels of injury.
Findings
- The aircraft was destroyed during the impact.
- The accident occurred during the hours of darkness.
- A steep descent preceded the decision to abort the landing attempt.