Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Nanisivik (Aug 27/01) - Engine trouble forced a Kenn Borek medevac flight to make an emergency landing in Nanisivik Aug. 17.

Neither the two-person crew nor the two medics aboard were injured.

The flight was heading to Resolute Bay from Iqaluit when the diversion occurred around noon.

Another plane was dispatched to complete the run.

Transportation and Safety Board of Canada investigator Eckhard Dittbrenner ruled out engine failure last week.

"We call it partial engine power loss. Looks like it was water contamination in the fuel," Dittbrenner said.

The pilot made the unscheduled landing when the aircraft's engine began to surge.

Bad weather kept the pilots, one doctor and one paramedic in Nanisivik for several days.

Dittbrenner said his investigation is over. However, he said engine power loss is of interest to Transportation officials.

"We'll wonder if there was a safety issue but in this case it has to do with water in the fuel ... and there's no need for us to dig into it any further," Dittenbrenner said.