Incident
at Gahcho Kue, NT (CGK2)
TSB Report #A21W0003: C-GSAX, a Summit Air Charters Dornier 228, was operating as flight SU1022 from Gahcho Kue, NT (CGK2) to Yellowknife, NT (CYZF) with 2 flight crew and 6 passengers on board. The aircraft had arrived from CYZF on an IFR flight in IMC with the engine inlet anti-ice on. After arriving, they were on the ground for 10 to 15 minutes, unloading and loading, with the aircraft parked into wind. There was blowing snow, with the wind speed at 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Once the passengers were loaded, the aircraft was started and taxied to the button of the runway. The captain was not satisfied that they had sufficient runway visibility, so they taxied back to the ramp and faced into the wind again to await the arrival of an inbound IFR aircraft. After 15 minutes had passed, the arriving aircraft landed and gave a pilot report that there was more than 1 mile visibility. SU1022 then took position on the runway and departed CGK2 with the bleed air on, the propeller and engine inlet anti-ice off and the engine ignition in the off position. At 400 feet AGL, the power was set to climb power and the propeller and engine inlet anti-ice were turned on in anticipation of entering a cloud at 700 feet AGL. As the aircraft passed 1000 feet AGL and commenced a turn towards CYZF, both engines (Garrett TPE331-5-252D) flamed out. The captain cycled the power levers back and forth and was about to feather the propellers in preparation to glide back to the field when they noticed that the engines still had temperature and oil pressure. The captain switched the manual ignition on, and both engines relit. With engine parameters stabilized, the crew elected to proceed to the destination and landed without further incident. Maintenance update: Both engines were borescoped for damage, and none was found. All systems were checked and verified as operational. An engine check run was completed, with all systems functioning normally, and the aircraft was returned to service. Operations update: In consultation with the engine manufacturer (Honeywell) and the airframe manufacturer (Ruag), Summit Air Charters has updated its Dornier 228 SOPs and checklists in regards to the definition of icing conditions. The updates apply to when the application of engine inlet heat and propeller heat occurs, as well as when the ignitors are turned on and for how long the ignitors remain on.