Cargo North (North Star Air) Crashes DC3 in PickleLake

[pelmet]

C-FKGL, a Douglas DC-3C aircraft equipped with a Basler Turbo Conversions turbine engine and operated by North Star Air, departed Runway 27 in Pickle Lake, ON (CYPL) for Big Trout Lake, ON (CYTL). After the rotation at 83 KIAS, the flight crew noted an absence of climb performance as the aircraft did not accelerate or achieve a positive rate of climb. The crew subsequently carried out a forced landing and came to rest 1.3 km from the departure end of Runway 27 on the frozen surface
of Pickle Lake. There were no injuries to the 3 occupants.

The weather reported shortly after the occurrence (12:43 CDT) was wind direction from 140° True at 7 knots, visibility of 3/4 of a mile in light snow (snow reported 8 octas). The temperature was -1°C and the dew point was -3°C. The vertical visibility was 500 feet in light snow and the altimeter setting was 29.78 in Hg.

TSB investigators inspected the aircraft at the accident site. The main fuel tanks were full and there was approximately 70 gallons in each auxiliary fuel tanks. TSB calculations, using actual weights and locations of the freight, indicated that the aircraft was within the Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) and that the Centre of Gravity (CG) was within the allowable fore and aft limits. The CVR was sent to the TSB Laboratory for download.

The aircraft sustained damage to the engines (Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R), propellers, and cowlings. The lower longerons and adjacent structures in the engine nacelles were damaged due to impact with the landing gear axles. The drag-brace attachment points of both landing gears were broken away.

The engines were examined at an overhaul facility and there was no indication of any pre-impact conditions that would have contributed to the occurrence. Both propeller governors were functionally tested and were found to be operating normally with no PY air leakage. The TSB was also able to determine that the propellers were rotating at the takeoff setting of 1700 RPM during
the takeoff run.

The aircraft's engines were replaced on the lake and repairs were made to allow the aircraft to depart Pickle Lake on a ferry flight to Thunder Bay, ON (CYQT) for further repairs.

[pelmet]

Finally, after all these years, the TSB gives a hint about the cause of this accident. It is in the more recent Sachigo Lake accident report that I am now reading........

"In February 2018, TC conducted a reactive PI on North Star Air in response to the de-icing issues related to an accident in March 2017."