Showing posts with label West Wind Aviation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Wind Aviation. Show all posts

13 December, 2018

West Wind Aviation remembers on December 13th, and focuses on continuous safety improvements

Marking a year since the loss of its flight 280 in Fond Du Lac Saskatchewan, West Wind Aviation recognizes those who gave freely of themselves, putting aside their personal wellbeing, to help the survivors of the downed flight. Thanks to the quick response and actions of everyday people, no one perished that night, one, however, would later succumb to his injuries.

"Most importantly, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by ill-fated West Wind flight 280," said West Wind's new Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rodyniuk who took over the company three months ago. "We are especially saddened by the loss of Arson Fern Jr., a passenger who passed away in hospital two weeks after the accident." 

(Photo Transportation Safety Board of Canada)
The ATR-42 airliner lifted off Fond Du Lac airport on the night of December 13, 2017, just after 6PM.  The Canadian Transportation Safety Board is continuing their investigation into what happened next, causing the aircraft to crash just seconds after takeoff. 

West Wind recognized the "heroes" whose efforts it says saved lives.  Among them, Flight Attendant Jenny Tait, the Canadian Rangers, able passengers, family members, the community of Fond Du Lac, a passenger physician who while injured on board the downed aircraft immediately cared for those seriously injured, the Chief and Council of Fond Du Lac First Nation and many more who simply prefer not to be named.

04 October, 2018

West Wind Aviation appoints CEO and President

Michael Rodyniuk has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer, President and Accountable Executive of West Wind Aviation, the board confirmed this week.

According to the board of the Canadian company, Michael Rodyniuk brings a proven track record in the industry, strong dedication to safety, and unique success with Canadian northern airlines. He's been an airline executive since the 1990s.  His airline experience ranges from the large to the small airlines, most recently with regional carriers playing a vital role in Canada's north.  

23 December, 2017

Transport Canada suspends West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate

Transport Canada suspended West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate today, which prohibits the company from providing commercial air services. The department took this serious action in the interest of public safety because the department identified deficiencies in the company's Operational Control System. An Operational Control System ensures that a company's day-to-day actions are compliant with safety requirements for things such as the dispatching of personnel and aircraft.



On December 13, 2017, a West Wind Aviation aircraft, with 25 people onboard, crashed in Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan. Transport Canada identified deficiencies during a post-accident inspection of West Wind Aviation from December 18 to 20, 2017. As a result, in the interest of public safety, Transport Canada suspended West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate and will not allow the company to resume its commercial air service until it demonstrates compliance with aviation safety regulations.




Transport Canada takes its aviation safety oversight role very seriously and expects every air operator to fully comply with aviation safety regulations.



14 December, 2017

Lucky escape as ATR42 crashes in Canada

There was a remarkably lucky escape for the 22 passengers and 3 crew of an ATR42-320 aircraft belonging to West Wind Aviation crashed on 13th December just after take-off around 1 km from Fond-du-Lac Airport, Saskatchewan, Canada. 



All 22 passengers and 3 crew members on board the ATR 42-320 registration C-GWEA were rescued after the aircraft came down at approximately 18.15 local Canadian time yesterday evening.   The police advised that first responders got to the scene as quickly as possible and worked rapidly to remove the 22 passengers which included an infant and the 3 crew from the aircraft wreckage. 

Many people were injured in the crash and transferred to hospital and whilst the full extent of their injuries are not immediately clear, none are thought to be life-threatening conditions. 


“We train for incidents like this. First and foremost is the well-being of the passengers and crew. With all the hectic activity in this kind of incident, it’s really important to make sure that they’re front and centre and that they’re the focus.” Rick Philipenko, vice-president and chief financial officer of the Saskatoon-based West Wind Aviation said. 

Inside the ATR


Mr Philipenko said the area of the crash site is now under the control of authorities and the TSB,  “We’re an observer when we’re there on site. Our role primarily is to make sure the passengers and crew are looked after.”



The company initially posted the following message on its Facebook page, but there has been no official statement or update from the airline since last night. 

West Wind Aviation has been in operation since 1983 and flies from bases in Saskatoon, La Ronge and Stony Rapids, as well as in northern Saskatchewan.  In 2016 it bought out Transwest Air which added a number of aircraft to its fleet which included 5 ATR42's Twin Otters and Beech 1900C and D's. On its website, it proudly proclaims “Our safety record is exemplary and our customer service exceptional,” the company states on its website. “Fly with West Wind and we take care, for you.”

There has been no immediate reaction from the TSB who are at the scene investigating as to the cause of the accident.  






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