The TSB Releases Detail on Investigation into First Air Crash in Nunavut

The Transportation Safety Board Releases Detail on Investigation into First Air Crash in Nunavut

First Air Accident, Resolute Bay, Nunavut, 20 August 2011

On August 20, 2011, First Air Boeing 737-210C combi aircraft was being flown from Yellowknife, NWT to Resolute Bay, NU. During the approach to runway 35T, the aircraft struck a hill about 1 nautical mile east of the midpoint of the Resolute Bay airport runway. There were 4 crew members and 11 passengers on board the aircraft. The crew members and eight passengers were fatally injured. Three passengers survived the accident and were recovered from the site by Canadian military personnel who were in Resolute Bay for Exercise Operation Nanook. The aircraft was destroyed and there was a post-impact fire.

Brian MacDonald, Investigator-in-Charge

Brian MacDonald has been an investigator with the Air Investigation Branch of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for 8 years. Prior to that, Mr. MacDonald served in the Canadian Forces as a helicopter pilot for various operational units including Search and Rescue. Mr. MacDonald also spent 7 years as an accident investigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He has investigated numerous accidents as Investigator-in-Charge. He has experience investigating a variety of accidents involving numerous aircraft types, up to and including Boeing 747s.

TSB 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 the Investigation Process page.