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Air transportation safety investigation A20C0037

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 25 May 2021.

Table of contents

Runway excursion

Buffalo Airways Ltd.
Beechcraft King Air A100, C-FCBZ
Kugaaruk Airport, Nunavut

View final report

The occurrence

On , the Buffalo Airways Ltd. Beechcraft King Air A100 aircraft (registration C-FCBZ, serial number B-116) was conducting charter flight BFL666, under instrument flight rules, from Cambridge Bay Airport, Nunavut, to Kugaaruk Airport, Nunavut, with 2 flight crew members and freight on board. At 1350 Mountain Daylight Time, during the hours of daylight, the aircraft landed at Kugaaruk Airport on Runway 23. Immediately after touchdown the aircraft veered to the right and departed from the runway surface. The aircraft came to rest after colliding with a snowbank on the northwest side of the runway. The crew, who were not injured, egressed the aircraft via the main cabin door. There was no fire, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter did not activate.


Media materials

News release

2021-05-25

Continued approach below required aerodrome operating visibility led to runway excursion in Kugaaruk, Nunavut
Read the news release


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence




Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Allen Barrett

Mr. Barrett joined the TSB in March 2010 as a Technical Investigator/Air in the Central Region office located in Winnipeg. He has over 40 years of maintenance experience on fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Mr. Barrett holds an M1/M2 AME licence, and has held various positions maintaining numerous types of aircraft for operators in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Before joining the TSB, he was an instructor for four years in the Aircraft Maintenance diploma and apprenticeship programs at Red River College, Stevenson Campus, in Winnipeg. Since joining the TSB, Mr. Barrett has participated in numerous TSB investigations.


Class of investigation

This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

TSB investigation process

There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

  1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
  2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
  3. Report 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 or correct information they believe to be 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.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.