N5296M

On April 10, 1973 at 12:00 AM, N5296M experienced a crash involving Swearingen SA226T Merlin III, operated by AiResearch Aviation, with the event recorded near Montreal-Pierre-Elliott Trudeau (ex Dorval) Quebec.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

8 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 6, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While descending to Montreal-Dorval Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and a limited visibility due to snow falls. Unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around manoeuvre. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned for similar reasons. During a third attempt, the crew descended below the glide to establish a visual contact with the ground when the airplane struck the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane slid in an open field before coming to rest few dozen meters short of runway. All eight occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration N5296M, MSN T-219, year of manufacture 1971.