A Buffalo Airways plane rests on its belly, well past the end of the runway after an emergency landing in Deline on Sept. 25 of this year. - photo courtesy of RCMP |
Oil leak may have caused Deline crash
Preliminary report indicates plane engine shut down due to oil leak
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, November 9, 2015
DELINE/FORT FRANKLIN
More details have been released about the tense moments leading up to a Buffalo Airways plane belly-landing at the Deline Airport on Oct 25.
A report from Transport Canada's Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) has revealed the plane was forced into the emergency landing after an oil pump failed and oil was seen by the crew leaking from one of the plane's engines.
The crew of four was subsequently able to escape unharmed after the plane landed with its landing gear up and skidded some 215 metres beyond the end of the runway.
The flight was en route to Norman Wells from Yellowknife when the crew noticed a drop in the right engine oil quantity indicator, according to the report, which is preliminary and can be subject to change.
The crew made an adjustment, but the oil indicator continued to drop rapidly.
It was at that time the crew confirmed visually oil was escaping from the engine at an abnormally high rate.
The right propeller speed then became uncontrollable and the crew then shut down the engine.
It was at that time the crew elected to divert to Tulita but quickly determined the descent rate would not permit this as an option.
The only other option for diversion was Deline, where there was reported to be a half mile of visibility and a 300-foot ceiling.
An emergency was declared with the Deline Airport and the plane landed there without deploying its landing gear.
The report states the landing gear was left up to prevent a further loss of airspeed. The plane landed about the midway point of the runway.
Buffalo Airways' initial investigation revealed the engine oil scavenge pump had failed, the report went on to state.
The report states the plane, a Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando, was destroyed. According to the Buffalo Airways website, its two C-46 aircraft have been in service since 1945.
The planes can carry up to 14,000 pounds of freight into short airstrips, according to the website.
It is not clear exactly what the aircraft was carrying when it was forced to make the emergency landing.
According to John Tavernini, investigator with the Transportation Safety Board, his agency is awaiting results from a Transport Canada investigation into the incident.
"They are responsible for ensuring Buffalo Airways is conducting its duties according to the regulations," Tavernini said.
It is not clear when the final Transport Canada report will be released.
