AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT BY NORTHWESTERN AIR LEASE LTD.
Location: Fort Smith, Northwest Territories
Issue/Source: Aircraft Accident / TRAN
Date: March 2024
Suggested Responses
- On January 23, 2024, an aircraft registered to Northwestern Air Lease Ltd crashed shortly after departing from Fort Smith Airport, Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.
- Seven individuals were on board; sadly, six were fatally injured and one suffered minor injuries.
- The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has commenced an investigation into the incident.
If Pressed
- The surviving passenger was extracted from the site and airlifted to the local hospital in Fort Smith.
- The surviving passenger had minor injuries (initially reported as critical) and returned home from the hospital shortly after the occurrence.
- Search efforts included several aircraft from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC) along with a military ground search team.
- The JRCC aircraft, a CC130 Hercules, located the aircraft 500 meters off Runway 12 which suffered a post-crash fire and was reported as substantially damaged.
- Transport Canada deployed a Minister’s Observer to the occurrence site from January 24-26, 2024 with no immediate safety or regulatory issues revealed while deployed to the crash site.
- The Minister’s Observer will continue to support and monitor the investigation and communicate any safety issues identified so the Department can, as appropriate, take timely action.
- A Reactive Process Inspection was conducted from February 6-8, 2024.
- The surveillance team did not identify any non-compliances with the Canadian Aviation Regulations during the reactive surveillance.
- A Reactive Process Inspection was conducted from February 6-8, 2024.
Background Information
- On January 23, 2024, a Jetstream 32 aircraft registered to Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. crashed shortly after departing from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories while on route to Diavik, Northwest Territories.
- The last inspection prior to the accident was conducted in May 2019 and had no significant safety concerns.
- Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. is the holder of Air Operator Certificates issued under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part 702, 703 and 704.
- They have a fleet consisting of:
- 8 Jetstream 31/32
- 1 Piper PA34 twin engine piston,
- 5 Single engine piston aircraft as follows: 1 Cessna 210, 2 Cessna 206, 1 Cessna 185 and 1 Cessna 172.
- They have a fleet consisting of:
- The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) designated the accident as a Class 3 investigation.
- It can take up to 450 days for the TSB to send Transport Canada their report but will notify Transport Canada in the event of any crucial developments during the investigation.
- Transport Canada is committed to addressing any safety issues identified through the investigation as soon as possible.