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Airline Sued Over Fatal Diamond Mine Flight
7 Feb
Summary
- Lawsuit alleges improper training and procedures by airline.
- Allegations include failure to de-ice wings before takeoff.
- One survivor and families of four deceased passengers are suing.
A lawsuit was initiated in the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories on January 16, 2026, by the sole survivor and family members of four passengers who perished in a Northwestern Air Lease plane crash. The incident occurred in January 2024, moments after takeoff from Fort Smith airport, en route to the Diavik Diamond Mine.
Allegations in the statement of claim assert that the airline failed to properly train its crew and that standard operating procedures were not followed. Specific claims include the flight crew not configuring the aircraft correctly for takeoff and neglecting to clear accumulated ice and snow from the wings, which allegedly prevented the plane from gaining altitude.
The lawsuit further states the flight crew did not adequately determine why the aircraft could not climb after takeoff, being distracted by the snow and ice on the wings. The airline has not yet filed a defence. The four deceased passengers were Shawn Krawec, Howard Benwell, Joel Tetso, and Diane Balsillie.
