The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 23 September 2019.
Controlled flight into terrain
Amik Aviation Ltd.
Cessna 208B Caravan, C-FAFV
Little Grand Rapids Airport, Manitoba, 0.75 nm S
The occurrence
On , a Cessna 208B aircraft operated by Amik Aviation Ltd., was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Winnipeg/St. Andrews Airport to Little Grand Rapids Airport, Manitoba, with 1 pilot and 6 passengers on board. During the final approach at Little Grand Rapids Airport, the aircraft collided with the frozen surface of Family Lake, near the threshold of the runway. The pilot and 6 passengers received minor injuries and were able to egress from the aircraft. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: March 2019 controlled flight into terrain near Little Grand Rapids Airport, Manitoba
Read the news release
Investigation information
A19C0016
Controlled flight into terrain
Amik Aviation Ltd.
Cessna 208B Caravan, C-FAFV
Little Grand Rapids Airport, Manitoba, 0.75 nm S
Investigator-in-charge
Eric Vermette joined the TSB in 2014 as a Regional Senior Investigator – Operations, for the Central Region and works in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He holds a current airline transport pilot’s license and has accumulated over 5000 hours of flight time on various jet and propeller aircraft. He has been the Manager, Central Region Operations for the TSB Air Investigation Branch since 2015.
Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Vermette worked for over 13 years in civil aviation including experience as a training pilot and as a check pilot. He also has over 5 years of experience as Chief Pilot in CAR 703, 704 and 705 operations. Mr. Vermette has flown in all parts of Canada and the USA and has extensive medevac flying experience.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.