http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/c ... d2016C0022
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ ... 05781.html
A Fast Air twin-engine plane flying to Island Lake in northern Manitoba slid to a stop on its belly after pilots accidentally retracted its wheels during landing.
Transport Canada said in a report that while neither the two pilots nor two company personnel suffered injuries during the incident Saturday night, the Beechcraft King Air 200 plane itself received "substantial damage to its belly and flaps."
Eric Vermette, regional manager of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, said the agency interviewed the pilots and made note of the incident, but in the end decided an in-depth investigation was not needed because they know what happened.
"It would not advance transportation safety," he said.
Vermette said after the plane touched down, its fuselage slammed into the runway when the pilots moved the gear handle into the up position instead of using the handle that retracts the flaps.
"They’re not side by side. They are two distinct levers located in two difference spaces in the cockpit."
Vermette said the plane was one of Fast Air’s medevac aircraft, but no patients were on board at the time.
Dylan Fast, owner of the company, said in a statement that "safety of our crew and the public is of utmost importance and has been and continues to be our first priority."
"Fast Air is reviewing this through our company safety management system."
Fast said the company anticipates the aircraft can be repaired and returned to service.
The plane was flying from The Pas to Island Lake when the incident happened.
The four occupants exited through the cabin door after the plane slid to a stop.
A Calm Air flight had to be diverted while the runway was closed.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca