First Air Flight 6560
Encyclopedia
First Air Flight 6560 was a charter flight being operated by Boeing 737-200 registered
C-GNWN, a passenger-cargo convertible (combi
) aircraft on 20 August 2011 when it crashed approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from Resolute
, Nunavut
, Canada. Of the fifteen people on-board (eleven passengers and four crew), twelve were killed and three injured.
The three survivors, one a seven year old girl, were medivaced to Iqaluit. The last radio call was received at 12:40 PM CDT (17:40 UTC), at which time the aircraft was, according to First Air
, about 8 km (5 mi) from Resolute Bay Airport
, and the aircraft crashed some 10 minutes later. Flight 6560 was a charter flight from Yellowknife to Resolute.
C-GNWN. Ship 414 (serial number 21067) first flew on 2 May 1975 and was delivered to Wien Air Alaska
on 14 May 1975.
, Northwest Territories
, Canada to Resolute Bay Airport, Nunavut. It was carrying four crew and eleven passengers.The aircraft crashed on approach to Resolute Bay, killing twelve people. The weather at the time was reported to be poor. The Canadian Forces
were conducting Operation Nanook 2011 nearby, which was about to simulate an air disaster in the Resolute Bay
area. The operation was suspended and those taking part assisted in the rescue efforts. One surviving passenger received treatment at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Two surviving passengers were moved from Iqaluit to the Ottawa General Hospital in Ottawa
, Ontario
.
. According to a spokesperson, the investigation is in its very early stages and it is unclear to what caused the accident. The investigators were able to start investigating straight away as they were already in the vicinity participating in an air disaster training exercise.
Aircraft registration
An aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
C-GNWN, a passenger-cargo convertible (combi
Combi
In commercial aviation, the term combi refers to versions of various aircraft that can be used for either passenger, as an airliner would, or cargo duties, as a freighter would, and often have a partition in the aircraft cabin to allow both uses at once...
) aircraft on 20 August 2011 when it crashed approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from Resolute
Resolute, Nunavut
Resolute or Resolute Bay is a small Inuit hamlet on Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada. It is situated at the northern end of Resolute Bay and the Northwest Passage and is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region....
, Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, Canada. Of the fifteen people on-board (eleven passengers and four crew), twelve were killed and three injured.
The three survivors, one a seven year old girl, were medivaced to Iqaluit. The last radio call was received at 12:40 PM CDT (17:40 UTC), at which time the aircraft was, according to First Air
First Air
Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, is an airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. It operates services to 30 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. The majority of its fleet is available for charters worldwide...
, about 8 km (5 mi) from Resolute Bay Airport
Resolute Bay Airport
-Accidents:On August 20, 2011, First Air Flight 6560, a Boeing 737-200, carrying 15 people crashed near the airport. Twelve people were killed and three people survived. Flight 6560 was a charter from Yellowknife to Resolute.-External links:...
, and the aircraft crashed some 10 minutes later. Flight 6560 was a charter flight from Yellowknife to Resolute.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-200 registrationAircraft registration
An aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
C-GNWN. Ship 414 (serial number 21067) first flew on 2 May 1975 and was delivered to Wien Air Alaska
Wien Air Alaska
Wien Air Alaska was formed from Northern Consolidated Airlines and Wien Alaska Airways. The company was famous for being the first airline in Alaska, and one of the first in the United States.-History:...
on 14 May 1975.
Accident
The aircraft was operating a charter flight from Yellowknife AirportYellowknife Airport
Yellowknife Airport is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by the government of the Northwest Territories. The airport has regular scheduled passenger service, and is also used as a forward operating base for...
, Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada to Resolute Bay Airport, Nunavut. It was carrying four crew and eleven passengers.The aircraft crashed on approach to Resolute Bay, killing twelve people. The weather at the time was reported to be poor. The Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
were conducting Operation Nanook 2011 nearby, which was about to simulate an air disaster in the Resolute Bay
Resolute Bay
Resolute Bay is an Arctic waterway in Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is located in Parry Channel on the southern side of Cornwallis Island. The hamlet of Resolute is located on the northern shore of the bay and Resolute Bay Airport to the northwest...
area. The operation was suspended and those taking part assisted in the rescue efforts. One surviving passenger received treatment at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Two surviving passengers were moved from Iqaluit to the Ottawa General Hospital in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Investigation
The crash will be investigated by the Transportation Safety Board of CanadaTransportation Safety Board of Canada
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada , officially the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board is the agency of the Government of Canada responsible for maintaining...
. According to a spokesperson, the investigation is in its very early stages and it is unclear to what caused the accident. The investigators were able to start investigating straight away as they were already in the vicinity participating in an air disaster training exercise.
External links
- First AirFirst AirBradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, is an airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. It operates services to 30 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. The majority of its fleet is available for charters worldwide...
- First Air mourns loss of crew - August 23, 2011.
- Information Update - August 22, 2011
- First Air Confirms Accident - August 22, 2011
- TSB investigation