First Air Accident, Resolute Bay, Nunavut, 20 August 2011

On August 20, 2011, First Air Boeing 737-210C combi aircraft was being flown from Yellowknife, NWT to Resolute Bay, NU. During the approach to runway 35T, the aircraft struck a hill about 1 nautical mile east of the midpoint of the Resolute Bay airport runway. There were 4 crewmembers and 11 passengers on board the aircraft. The crewmembers and eight passengers were fatally injured. Three passengers survived the accident and were recovered from the site by Canadian military personnel who were in Resolute Bay for Exercise Operation Nanook. The aircraft was destroyed and there was a post-impact fire.

Data recorders

The aircraft was equipped with two data recorders, a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

The FDR records parameters such as airspeed, altitude, heading, engine power settings, flight control movement and positions and instrument settings. These parameters help investigators understand how the aircraft was performing in the final minutes of flight.

The CVR records the conversations between the pilots and Air Traffic Control, as well as between the pilots. There is also a cockpit area microphone that records sounds heard in the cockpit as well as any audible warning systems.

Data recorders are vital to helping investigators understand what the aircraft and crew were doing in the final moments of a flight.

Brian MacDonald, Investigator-in-Charge

Brian MacDonald has been an investigator with the Air Investigation Branch of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for 8 years. Prior to that, Mr. MacDonald served in the Canadian Forces as a helicopter pilot for various operational units including Search and Rescue. Mr. MacDonald also spent 7 years as an accident investigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He has investigated numerous accidents as Investigator-in-Charge. He has experience investigating a variety of accidents involving numerous aircraft types, up to and including Boeing 747s.

TSB Investigation Process

There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation: the Field Phase, the Post-Field Phase and the Report Production Phase.

During the Field Phase, a team of investigators examine the occurrence site and wreckage, interview witnesses and collect pertinent information.

In the Post-Field Phase, the TSB will review pertinent records, test components of the wreckage in the lab, determine the sequence of events and identify safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.

The investigation then enters the Report Production Phase. A confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute, correct or contradict information that they believe is incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public. For more information, see our Investigation Process page.

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