North Spirit Lake Ontario Accident, 10 January 2012

On 10 January 2012, at approximately 09:47 Central Standard Time (CST), a Piper PA-31 (Navajo) crashed near North Spirit Lake, Ontario. The aircraft was Keystone Air Service Ltd. Flight 213, from Winnipeg, Manitoba to North Spirit Lake, Ontario. It crashed on a lake about 1.1 nautical miles from the runway. There was a post-crash fire and 4 of the 5 people on board were fatally injured. The survivor was airlifted to a care facility by an air ambulance at approximately 13:00 CST.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) opened an investigation into the crash and deployed investigators to the site. The team has already determined some initial facts. The crash created a wreckage path of approximately 106 metres in length, that is oriented at approximately 140 degrees. The wreckage is located about 1.1 nautical miles northwest of the beginning of runway 13.

The team has found indications that the landing gear was down and the flaps were partially extended at the time of the crash. Aircraft parts (glass, panels, cargo, wing parts) were found early on the wreckage trail. The investigators also found heavy fire damage in the fuselage and the right wing area.

The team from the TSB left the accident site on 13 January, and is planning to take a further look at the engines and the propellers, and to bring out some instruments and radios although badly damaged. The information posted is factual in nature and does not contain any analysis. Analysis of the accident, along with the Findings of the Board will become available when the final report is released. The investigation is ongoing.

Photo 01 ‑ Main wreckage looking South from left rear

Photo 02 ‑ Main wreckage looking North from right front

Peter Hildebrand, Regional Operations Manager

Mr. Hildebrand joined the TSB in 1993 and is the Manager of Regional Operations for the Air Branch in Winnipeg. He has been the Investigator-in-Charge on numerous TSB investigations.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Hildebrand worked in regional airline operations in Canada and the USA. He has over 30 years of civil aviation experience as a pilot, air accident investigator and manager.

Map of the occurrence area

Transportation Safety Board 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.

Photo 03 ‑ Wreckage and wreckage path looking West

Photo 04 ‑ Wreckage and end of wreckage path from left looking Southwest

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