DHC6, en-route, Mount Elizabeth Antarctica, 2013

DHC6, en-route, Mount Elizabeth Antarctica, 2013

Summary

On 23 January 2013, a Canadian-operated DHC6 on day VFR positioning flight in Antarctica was found to have impacted terrain under power and whilst climbing at around the maximum rate possible. The evidence assembled by the Investigation indicated that this probably occurred following entry into IMC at an altitude below that of terrain in the vicinity having earlier set course en route direct to the intended destination. The aircraft was destroyed and there were no survivors.

Description

On 23 January 2013, radio contact was lost with a DHC6-300 (C-GKBC) being operated by Kenn Borek Air on a day non revenue positioning flight from South Pole Station to Terra Nova Bay under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). After a search and rescue effort based on transmissions from the ELT, the aircraft was subsequently found to have crashed whilst en route in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) resulting in the three occupants being killed.

The location of the wreckage (reproduced from the Official Report)

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and a satellite tracking unit were recovered from the wreckage but the CVR was subsequently found to be inoperative. Recorded data of considerable significance to the Investigation was recovered from the satellite tracking unit, a SkyTrac ISAT-100. This unit yielded recorded flight data in 5-second intervals, including position, altitude, ground speed and true track.

It was noted that flight operations by Kenn Borek in the Antarctic were conducted in accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulations.

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