Communiqué

TSB # A01/2012

Transportation Safety Board of Canada Releases Factual Information About Crash at North Spirit Lake

(Gatineau, Quebec, January 13, 2012) - Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigators have released new factual information regarding the crash of a Keystone Air Service Piper PA-31 (Navajo) aircraft near North Spirit Lake, Ontario, on 10 January 2012. In addition, photographs of the wreckage site are available on the Featured Investigations page. The factual information is as follows:

What we know

Keystone Air Service Ltd. Flight 213, a Piper PA-31 Navajo was on a flight from Winnipeg, Manitoba to North Spirit Lake, Ontario. It crashed on a lake about 1.1 nautical miles from the runway at approximately 10:05 Central Standard Time (CST). There was a post-crash fire and 4 of the 5 people on board were fatally injured. The survivor was airlifted to a care facility by an air ambulance at approximately 13:00 CST.

• The wreckage path is approximately 106 meters long.
• The orientation of the wreckage path is approximately 140 degrees.
• The wreckage is located about 1.1 nautical miles northwest of the beginning of runway 13.
• The team has found indications that the landing gear was down and the flaps were partially extended.
• Aircraft parts (glass, panels, cargo, wing parts) were found early on the wreckage trail.
• The team found heavy fire damage in the fuselage and the right wing area.

Next Steps

The Team is planning to:

• Take a further look at the engines and propellers;
• Bring out some instruments and radios although badly damaged;
• Return from the site via Red Lake today (13 January).

The information posted is factual in nature and does not contain any analysis. Analysis of the accident, along with the Findings of the Board will become available when the final report is released. The investigation is ongoing.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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TSB Media Relations
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