Air transportation safety investigation A23W0039

Table of contents

    Runway excursion
    Northwestern Air Lease Ltd.
    British Aerospace Jetstream 31
    Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

    The occurrence

    A Northwestern Air Lease Ltd. British Aerospace Jetstream 31 was conducting training at the Fort Smith Airport (CYSM), Northwest Territories, with 2 flight crew on board. During the touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in the aircraft departing the left side of the runway. The aircraft was substantially damaged; there were no injuries. The TSB deployed to the scene to obtain more information.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    A23W0039

    Runway excursion
    Northwestern Air Lease Ltd.
    British Aerospace Jetstream 31
    Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Jared Doell

    Jared Doell joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada as an investigator in the air branch of the TSB in 2019. Mr. Doell got his start in the aviation industry in 1994, when after graduating from the Southern Institute of Technology, he began his career as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Mr. Doell worked primarily in the rotorcraft segment of the industry, and has some experience in general aviation and fixed wing commuter operations. His work took him all over western and northern Canada, ending up in the Edmonton area as the director of maintenance for a helicopter Approved Maintenance Facility. In 2011, Jared joined Transport Canada and worked as an inspector in the Airworthiness and Standards departments.

    Mr. Doell also holds a private pilot’s licence and has had the opportunity to fly recreationally in Canada and the U.S.

    Photos

    Image
    A23W0039 : Position of occurrence aircraft after it came to rest looking northwest (Source: RCMP)

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report 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 or correct information they believe to be 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.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail 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.