By paNOW Staff

Plane that crashed at Fond du Lac was not de-iced before takeoff: TSB

Apr 23, 2018 | 10:39 AM

Ice buildup was not removed from a passenger aircraft before the plane crashed in Fond du Lac last December, according to an initial investigation report.

Although they have not yet reached firm conclusions, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released an update today on their investigation into a plane crash in Fond du Lac, which led to a number of serious injuries in December of last year. One passenger, 19-year-old Arson Jr. Fern, died after sustaining injuries in the crash. In their report, the TSB said the flight took off with “ice contamination” remaining on the aircraft.

According to the TSB, the ATR 42-320 aircraft, operated by West Wind Aviation, collided with trees and terrain shortly after takeoff Dec. 13, 2017, leading to the destruction of the aircraft. Although a significant amount of work has already been completed, the TSB said their investigation remains in the “examination and analysis phase.”

“An investigation team including air investigators from various TSB offices and technical experts from the TSB laboratory in Ottawa were deployed to the accident site,” the federal agency said in a statement. “A site survey was completed and the wreckage was transported to an off-site location for further investigation.”

The aircraft experienced ice buildup during its most recent landing before the crash, the TSB said, and although the plane’s de-icing systems were activated, “residual ice remained on portions of the aircraft.” Although West Wind Aviation did have de-icing equipment available at the Fond du Lac airport, the TSB said the ill-fated flight took off before the residual ice was fully removed.

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“The aircraft was not de-iced before takeoff, and the takeoff was commenced with ice contamination on the aircraft,” the TSB said.

West Wind Aviation’s operations were suspended shortly after the crash and remain suspended according to the company’s website. The TSB said the plane’s captain and first officer were both properly certified and qualified.

The TSB said the next steps in their investigation will “examine the factors underlying why the aircraft was not de-iced before takeoff,” as well as numerous other factors which may have contributed.

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