The West Wind Aviation plane was not de-iced after taking on new passengers and cargo, and commenced to take off again “with ice contamination on the aircraft.”

READ MORE: TSB eliminates engine failure as cause of plane crash in northern Saskatchewan

The ATR 42-320, with 22 passengers and three crew, crashed shortly afterwards into trees and terrain just over a kilometre away from the runway. According to TSB, the update “contains facts that the TSB has been able to validate” but the update “contains no conclusions about the factors that contributed to the occurrence.”

The final report, the TSB noted, “will include an analysis of all relevant factors” and provide the TSB’s findings. All 25 people on the West Wind Aviation turboprop were injured when it went down shortly after taking off from the Fond-du-Lac airstrip on Dec. 13. One passenger, Arson Fern Jr., died two weeks later in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. “The TSB investigation team is mindful of the survivors and the community of Fond-du-Lac, who want answers rapidly.”

The TSB said Monday although the plane wasn’t de-iced, West Wind had some de-icing equipment in the terminal including two ladders, a hand-held spray bottle with electric blanket, a wand, and de-icing fluid. TSB also said on Tuesday that the flight’s takeoff weight was below its maximum takeoff weight, the centre of gravity was within limits, and both pilots were certified and qualified. The plane was equipped with a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which were recovered “in good condition” from the wreckage. Six of the passengers are listed as plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against West Wind Aviation and Athabasca Basin Development, the airline’s majority shareholder.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports the aircraft departed with ice on it before losing height shortly after takeoff. The December 17 crash killed one and injured fifteen.