Private American A/C Down in CYRT.

[northernexplorer123]

An American registered Aero Commander lost both engines just after take-off this afternoon in CYRT (Rankin Inlet, NU). Apparently the A/C had engine problems and decided to delay departing to fix the problem. They were planning on doing a few run-ups to sort out the problem.. not sure if they did? They departed off RWY 31 and lost both engines only a few hundred feet AGL. They tried to turn back to make RWY 13, but didnt make it. The AC crashed off the end of the RWY not too far from an old PA-31 that had crashed many many years ago. No injuries were reported, and the Three People on board appeared to be okay. The RWY was closed for a few hours, but has since re-opened. I'm sure a CADORS is to Follow.

[nimbostratus]

Sounds eerily familiar. Bob Hoover's aero-commander did the same thing after it was filled with jet fuel. (Should have been avgas). Anyone know if this was a Shrike or a turbo commander? (avgas versus Jet)

Glad everyone was Okay. Looking forward to finding out how this dual failure happened.

Nimbo

[tired of the ground]

I can see how it goes down too. Inuit fueler that speaks no english shows up to airplane. American says "FILERUP". Inuit smiles and nods and proceeds to do what he's done to every other aircraft that's ever been through. The nozzle doesn't fit but he can dribble it in. American becomes impatient because it's taking so long. Finally the American hops in and blasts off slightly annoyed.


OTOH, it said there were engine problems before he landed in YRT so maybe this little scenario happened earlier in Fort Bumhole.

OR, we can wait with baited breath for the TSB to release the report. Speculation is way more fun though.

I really do hope that everyone is OK though.

[termerair]

3 souls onboard walked away fine.
They had flown from YTH in the morning.
They refuelled from drums in YRT.
On the first attempt for take off they experienced a lack of power on the left engine. They aborted the TO.
Came back to the apron for run-ups. Everything was apparently fine.
Took off rwy 31 and lost power in the climb out around 300-400ft. Tried to turn around to make it back onto rwy 13 but couldn't make it.
Crashed in the swamp SW of the field.

Glad to see that they got out unhurt!

T.

[niss]

Is the 'Impossible Turn' less impossible in a twin?

Glad they got out safe.

[rigpiggy]

Refuelled from drums. I don't know the fuel situation in YRT well enough,but since Arctic Airports had us pull our drums off the field about 10 years ago, there have been numerous instances of theft/contamination. . NFW will I take the fuel, unless the drums are/were sealed, and I supervised the fuelling.

[Heliian]

Filling from drums can bite you in the a$$ if you're not careful. inspect the contents with a flashlight, use water detecting paste and always pump through a velcon filter. Been doing this for years with no problems whatsoever except for once. The one drum that I didn't check, which was sealed and from a big name co., was a third full of water. The velcon saved my a$$ that day. i've worked the north for years and found most everyone to be quite friendly and helpful, I haven't met a fueller who doesn't speak english or french. One should be aware of the local culture and customs when travelling.

it's the pilot's responsibility to make sure the correct type and amount of fuel go in to the a/c. Fuel filler openings should be clearly marked for fuel type also. Luckily, all survived and there are lessons to be learned from other people's mistakes.

[robbreid]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N5800H

1970 Aero Commander 500S N5800H Aircraft just registered to new owner in June 2010.

[Widow]

NEWS: Nunavut July 20, 2010 - 9:48 am
Transport Canada, RCMP probe Rankin plane crash
Three men walk away from wrecked aircraft
JANE GEORGE

First it was a serious aircraft crash — now it’s the subject of simultaneous investigations by the Transportation Safety Board, the RCMP and insurance adjusters.

Both the Transportation Safety Board and the RCMP are now investigating the circumstances around the July 18 crash-landing of a small twin-enginee aircraft near the Rankin Inlet airport.

At about 1:50 p.m. the Rankin Inlet RCMP detachment received a call that an airplane had crashed northwest of the community’s airport.

The three male passengers, all from the United States, on board the 1971 Aero Commander 500S Aircraft were travelling en route from Oregon to Switzerland.

When the local fire department and emergency services arrived, the men were already a short distance from the aircraft, walking back to the airport, about a kilometre away.

They suffered no serious injuries, but their plane sustained major damage to its belly, landing gear and tail.

Shawn Maley, Nunavut’s director of airports, who arrived on the scene shortly after the crash, said the pilot was extremely lucky to have found the “best place” possible around on which to land — a flat, soft and relatively rock-free area of tundra.

The airplane is still lying at the crash site, awaiting the arrival of investigators from the TSB and insurance companies.

Although a July 19 RCMP media release asks anyone who has any information and have not yet spoken to police to call the local RCMP detachment and or to call Crime Stoppers, Maley and Peter Hildebrand, the regional investigator with the TSB, said they were unaware of any police investigation into the circumstances around the July 18 crash.

A recent master plan report on the Rankin Inlet airport did note problems with access control and security on the airfield, saying that “security fencing is relatively minimal at the airport and is not continuous around the property’s perimeter.”

But the aircraft was locked up in a hangar before its ill-fated take-off, Maley said.

Still, the TSB investigator, due July 20 in Rankin Inlet, plans to look thoroughly at all the possible causes of the crash, taking samples of fuel and damaged parts.

“We think there’s a question unanswered as to why the engines didn’t produce power,” Hildebrand told Nunatsiaq News.

The aircraft, also used widely by commercial services, had apparently taxied more than once before take-off, he said, with no signs that its engines would lack enough power to reach a flyable altitude.

Because no one has been able to “put a finger” on why the engines failed, Hildebrand said the TSB decided to carry out a full investigation on the US-owned aircraft.

Hildebrand commended the pilot, who did attempt to return to the runway, for deciding to land while he still retained control of the aircraft.

The TSB report is likely to take several months to produce, Hildebrand said.

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/a ... ane_crash/

[Old fella]

Wouldn't YYR, YQX,YYT been a better choice for a pit stop........... haven't gotta worry about fuel issues there. But, whatever, glad everybody is safe and sound - the bottom line.

[HuD 91gt]

YRT is one of the busiest northern airports out there. AvGas isn't often used up there and for years it has been brought in by drums. I just taxi'd by the wreck a couple hours ago (They almost made it) and the plane is in decent shape. Happy to see everyone made it out alive.

[rigpiggy]

I am trying to find the accident report, but very basically, after refuelling, the pilot emptied the drains, my understanding was upwards of a liter "contaimated from each. he got the "clear bright test, it smelled like fuel. Buddy started the engine, lost power on takeoff, and piled her up at the end. When the NTSB investigated they found upwards of a gallon of water in each tank, his takeoff was done using the fuel in the gascalator/lines. The FAA of course violated the pilot for an incomplete walkaround. when I find the report I'll post it.

[ScudRunner]

Dam I think I saw them in Saskatoon on Saturday!, heard them cross the 49th on centre and landed a little while after I did. Glad to hear they are OK.

[robbreid]

Very clean looking aircraft, prior to the forced landing anyway!!!

[pelmet]

http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/a ... 0c0123.asp

Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors
1.At the fuel compound, the 45‑gallon drum containing slops was located near the stock of sealed 45-gallon drums of 100LL AVGAS, contributing to the fuel handler selecting the drum of slops in error.
2.The 45‑gallon drum of slops had similar markings to the stock of sealed 45‑gallon drums of 100LL AVGAS, preventing ready identification of the contaminated drum.
3.The fuel handler did not notice that the large bung plug was not sealed on the second 45‑gallon drum and, as a result, delivered the drum of slops to the aircraft.
4.The pilots did not notice that the large bung plug was not sealed on the second 45‑gallon drum and, as a result, fuelled the aircraft with contaminated fuel.
5.The pilots were inexperienced with refuelling from 45‑gallon drums and did not take steps to ascertain the proper fuel grade in the second 45‑gallon drum. As a result, slops, rather than 100LL AVGAS, was pumped into the aircraft's fuel system.
6.The fuel system design was such that the fuel from both wing fuel cells combined in the centre fuel cell and, as a result, contaminated fuel was fed to both engines.
7.The contaminated fuel resulted in engine power loss in both engines and the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude after takeoff.


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Finding as to Risk
1.The impact force angles were substantially different from that of the ELT's G-switch orientation. As a result, the ELT did not activate during the impact. This could have delayed search and rescue (SAR) notification.