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An interruption while conducting checklist procedures and an incomplete checklist led to the 2020 crash at the Dryden Regional Airport.
On February 24, Bearskin Airlines Flight 344, carrying six passengers, including members of the Northern Ontario Women’s Curling team and two crew members, was taking off for Sioux Lookout when it left the runway and crashed into a frozen snowbank.
Coach Rick Lang injured his hand in the incident after propeller blade fragments penetrated the cabin wall during impact.
The Transportation Safety Board says the task of disengaging the propeller start locks started, however, it was interrupted and not completed.
The TSB notes the crew’s focus shifted to other tasks.
“It is likely that this slip of attention resulted in the engine power levers not being pulled over the flight idle gate to release the start locks,” the report states.
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The “Before Taxi” checklist didn’t contain a task to ensure that the start locks had been released and, as a result, the crew began taxiing unaware that the right propeller start locks were still engaged.
It was determined that a “positive torque” call required by standard operating procedures was not made, and the torque differential between the left and right engines wasn’t noticed by the crew.
The report states, “With less thrust being generated by the right engine, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control and exited the runway.”
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The TSB says Perimeter Aviation has changed its procedures and checklists and enhanced training for less experienced flight crew members.
You can read the full report by visiting Flight 344 TSB Report
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