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Runway conditions, speed, lack of harness blamed in fatal plane crash: TSB

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 06/21/2012 1:41 PM | Last Modified: 06/21/2012 5:14 PM | Updates

On July 4, 2011, Pukatawagan RCMP were dispatched to the scene of a fatal airplane crash.

The Transportation Safety Board’s report on a fatal plane crash at Pukatawagan last July points to runway conditions, lack of use of a passenger harness and rough terrain beyond the runway as contributing factors.

On July 4, 2011, the pilot of the Cessna 208B aborted takeoff when the aircraft did not reach the required speed. The plane did not have enough room to stop, went off the end of the runway and into a ravine where it burst into flames. One passenger was killed and the other eight sustained minor injuries.

Passengers could not initially open the back door of the plane to escape, but after several attempts managed to open it.

The passenger who died was seated at the front, wearing a seat belt but not the shoulder harness that was available. He was knocked unconscious.

The pilot was initially trapped in his seat, but a passenger helped him escape. Then he and the pilot tried to rescue the unconscious passenger, but the fire progressed quickly, and heat and smoke forced them out.

The report warned that harsh runway-end conditions prevail at several airports across northern Manitoba and other areas.