Aviation Incident Report #16619: The airport manager at Pukatawagan, MB (CZFG) was advised that the door of a Missinippi Air-Care Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) on a flight to Pukatawagan, MB (CZFG) opened while the aircraft was on the approach.

A Jazz de Havilland DHC 8-300 (JZA8473) from Calgary, AB (CYYC) to West Kootenay Regional (CYCG) was instructed to taxi from Apron 1 via G, J and C4. The aircraft missed Taxiway J and continued south on Taxiway G. A Beaver Services Limited Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) from Calgary, AB (CYYC) to Grace Lake, MB (CJR3) had to have their taxi instructions changed to avoid a conflict with JZA8473. No other impact to operations.

TSB#A15C0148: The Beaver Airways Piper PA31-350 aircraft (C-GADW) departed from The Pas/Grace Lake, MB (CJR3) with the pilot and three passengers onboard. After takeoff, the pilot turned on the forward heater and smoke began to fill the cabin. The heater was selected off and the smoke began to dissipate. The decision was made to return to the airport where the aircraft landed without further incident. An inspection of the heater system revealed that the heater blower had failed.

Update Maintenance & Manufacturing: Maintenance found that there was some dirt in the wheel wells that contaminated the switches. We cleaned and lubed the gear. Gear swings were performed with no defects noted and the aircraft returned to service.
A Sweeny Enterprises Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) from Lac Brochet, MB (CZWH) to Thompson, MB (CYTH) reported an indication while on final runway 15 CYTH. The pilot initiated a low pass over the runway to allow flight service station (FSS) to check for gear down. FSS indicated landing gear appeared to be down, C-GADW reported 3 green and landed runway 15 at 2252Z without further incident. Perimeter Aviation (PAG02-M/SW4) was delayed landing.

A Perimeter Aviation Swearingen SA226-TC (C-FSWT/ PAG781) from Thompson, MB (CYTH) to South Indian Lake, MB (CZSN) called Thompson, MB (CYTH) flight service station (FSS) and was given an advisory with active runways 33 and 24 and a Beaver Air Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) from Ilford, MB (CZBD) to Thompson, MB (CYTH) turning final for runway 24. PAG781 acknowledged and advised they would be using runway 33. PAG781 took position and reported they had C-GADW visual on final for runway 24 and that they were rolling. FSS informed PAG781 that C-GADW was short final. PAG781 informed FSS that PAG781 and CGADW had coordinated on 126.7 and determined it was okay for PAG781 to depart. C-GADW subsequently pulled up, went around, and landed. No other impact on operations.

A Beaver Air Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) blew a tire upon landing the Pas, MB (CJR3). Runway 08/26 NOTAM'd closed until approximately 0115Z. The aircraft was off the runway at approximately 0115Z.

Update Aerodrome Safety: The Pas airport handles all wildlife incidents in accordance with the airports approved Wildlife Management Plan.
A Beaver Air Services Piper PA-31-350 (C-GADW) from Pukatawagan, MB (CZFG) to The Pas, MB (CYQD), arriving, reported nearly hitting a moose on landing. No operational impact.

C-GADW, a Piper Navajo operated by Beaver Air Services, departed Thompson for The Pas, but the pilot returned due to an electrical failure. No assistance was required.

C-GADW, a Beaver Air Services PA-31, departed Thompson for God's River, but returned when the pilot could not retract the landing gear.

UPDATE TSB reported that C-FEMA en route from Winnipeg to The Pas was cleared to descend to 11,000 feet. The crew then commenced an approach and landing at The Pas without receiving an approach clearance. Air traffic control in Winnipeg attempted to call C-FEMA without success. There was a loss of separation between C-FEMA and C-GHQF, a Piper PA-31, en route from Winnipeg to Flin Flon. Company operations reported that the crew of C-FEMA understood the descent clearance to be an approach clearance.
C-FEMA, a Cessna Citation, was cleared to descend to 11,000 feet en route to The Pas, Manitoba (CYQD). At 2342z, the Winnipeg ACC Controller attempted to raise the aircraft on frequency and was unable. The crew of C-FEMA had conducted an approach and landed at CYQD at 2350z without an approach clearance. There was also a loss of separation with C-GHQF at 10,000 feet and C-GADW at 7,000 feet.

UPDATE Maintenance and Manufacturing reported that Beaver Air Service in The Pas had a bird strike (sea gull) on the right engine of their Piper PA-31-350, C-GADW while taking off from Grace Lake strip on 23/04/05. The pilot returned to the airport and landed safely. Apparently there was no damage to the engine cowls or propeller, so the pilot continued with the flight itinerary. M. & M. contacted the company Director of Maintenance who was unaware of the incident due to a weekend away in Winnipeg. Flight Operations had not communicated the incident information. Further follow-up disclosed the the crew had not made an entry in the Journey Log. Maintenance reviewed the strike area with nil damage noted, other than some feathers. The Director of Maintenance is reviewing the situation with Flight Operations to establish why procedures were not followed and institute a corrective action plan.
C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, was departing Grace Lake when the pilot reported striking a seagull on takeoff. The aircraft returned to CJR3 and landed without incident.
Aerodrome Safety advised that The bird strike occurred just at rotation, the pilot came around and landed without further incident. Blood smears and feathers were found on the left engine nacelle however no aircraft damage was reported. The airport operator in consultation with the Manitoba Airports group and the Manitoba Natural Resources are to begin an immediate culling program. The remains of the gull were not located so bird identification is not known. This event did not cause any interruption of air traffic at Grace Lake.

The pilot of C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, was preparing for departure from Grace Lake and called Winnipeg FIC but before the FIC responded, another unknown voice came on the frequency from an unknown source and said 'Go ahead for Winnipeg Radio'. FIC then did respond to the pilot and when the FIC quit transmitting, the unknown voice was again heard transmiting weather information to the pilot. The pilot advised he was at CJR3 taxing for departure on Runway 26. The unknown voice requested the aircraft hold short for 20 minutes. Pilot asked what the hold up was and the FIC then responded they did not know who was transmitting but that it was not the FIC. No other transmissions were heard and a/c departed without further incident. The incident was reported to the RCMP.

UPDATE Maintenance and Manufacturing reported that the company determined that the left engine magneto upper bearing had failed (approximately 1000 hours since overhaul). A new magneto was installed and aircraft returned to service. An SDR will be submitted.
The pilot of C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, reported engine problems after departure from Grace Lake and requested to return. The aircraft landed safely at 0007Z. No assistance was required and no other aircraft were inconvenienced.

C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, landed at Pukatawagan and the brakes froze. The aircraft remained on the runway for almost 2 hours and the runway was NOTAM'ed closed until it could be re-opened at 0400Z.

C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, was en route IFR from Grace Lake to Pukatawagan (CZFG) at 4000 feet and the pilot descended and landed at ZFG without clearance. The pilot later advised that he was unable to contact anyone to cancel IFR and had descended in VFR conditions.

C-GADW, a Piper Navajo, departed on IFR flight plan from Norway House to Thompson without contacting Winnipeg FSS on the Mandatory Frequency and without obtaining a clearance prior to departure. Once airborne, the pilot requested an IFR clearance. The FSS Duty Specialist informed the pilot that Norway House was a control zone and there was a requirement to contact FSS on the MF prior to departing. The pilot indicated that he had broadcast his intentions on the Unicom 122.8. The aircraft is based in Grace Lake (uncontrolled aerodrome) where they routinely depart VFR and obtain their clearance after airborne through Winnipeg FSS on The Pas frequency.

The pilot of C-GADW, PA31 reported unsafe gear indication. Aircraft landed safely. RCMP and town fire dept. called out at FSS suggestion and pilot's concurrence.