News release

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (A23O0122) into a loss of control and impact with the runway at Detour Lake Aerodrome, Ontario.

On September 7, 2023, a Fairchild SA227-DC Metro 23 aircraft, carrying two flight crew members and eight passengers attempted to land at Detour Lake Aerodrome, Ontario. During the first approach to land, the aircraft was not aligned with the runway centreline, and the flight crew conducted a missed approach. During the second landing attempt, they lost control of the aircraft, causing the right wing to strike the runway. The nose and right main landing gears then collapsed, and the aircraft skidded off the runway. Three passengers and one flight crew member received minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.

The investigation found that a high workload experienced by the flight crew resulted in a narrowing of attention and, when combined with various operational pressures, influenced their decision to continue the second approach and attempt to land.

Based on his gravel runway training and on the aircraft’s speed, the captain expected that aggressive braking would be required. This expectation combined with the captain’s high workload resulted in him inadvertently engaging reverse thrust before the aircraft had touched down, resulting in a loss of control and the aircraft impacting the runway.

Following this occurrence, the operator, Perimeter Aviation LP, updated its procedures for the Metro 23 aircraft and strengthened its crew training, operational oversight, and maintenance practices. The changes covered instrument and missed approaches, briefings, stable approach criteria, flight risk assessments, navigation equipment, flight data monitoring, pilot training and checking, safety audits, and emergency locator transmitter inspections.

See the investigation page for more information.