By Canadian Press

Floatplane that crashed in N.W.T. was chartered to help with winter roads, TSB says

Dec 29, 2023 | 12:53 PM

YELLOWKNIFE — A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada says a plane that crashed in the Northwest Territories this week was chartered to help with winter road construction in the area. 

The plane carrying 10 people crashed Wednesday near the Diavik Diamond Mine, about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. Everyone on board survived the crash. 

The TSB report says the Twin Otter, a small floatplane, was travelling from Margaret Lake to Lac De Gras in the territory, but crashed as it was attempting to land on the lake.

TSB spokesman Hugo Fontaine says an investigation is to begin today, starting with video interviews with the passengers.

He says the TSB will be present at the crash site to investigate sometime next week.

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A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules search-and-rescue aircraft was dispatched to the site from 17 Wing Winnipeg, and dropped search-and-rescue personnel by parachute Wednesday night.

Air Force spokesman David Lavallee says the passengers, some injured, were temporarily transported to the mine before being transferred to Yellowknife.

The identity of the passengers and crew, as well as the company tasked with building the winter roads, have not been released.

The Canadian Press