First Air Boeing 737-210C plane crash
Resolute Bay, Canada
Updated on
The Boeing 737-210C/Adv (combi aircraft) operated by First Air took off from Yellowknife, NT, Canada, for a passenger flight to Resolute Bay, NU, Canada. 11 passengers and 4 crewmembers were onboard. The plane crashed shortly before landing at Resolute Bay. 12 occupants have been killed, and 3 survived with injuries.
Fog and rain prevailed at the time of the accident. The plane crashed while approaching Resolute Bay. Its last reported communication was about 5 NM (8 kilometres) from Resolute Bay airport. The wreckage was found at around 1 NM (two kilometres) west of the Resolute Bay airport's landing strip.
The Canadian Forces were conducting an exercise called Nanook 11, which includes the simulation of a major air disaster near Resolute Bay. The exercise was interrupted to allow the forces to join the search and rescue operation in progress. The First Air Boeing 737-200 had no part in any simulation exercises.
The Boeing 737-210C/Adv is a combi aircraft: the plane can carry both passengers and cargo on the main deck. When it crashed, the aircraft was in a configuration with room for 34 passengers and 5 cargo palettes.