Status:	Final
Date:	22 MAY 2001
Time:	13:25
Type:	Boeing 737-210C
Operator:	First Air
Registration:	C-GNWI
C/n / msn:	21066/413
First flight:	1975-05-02 (26 years )
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 98
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 104
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Yellowknife Airport, NT (YZF) (Canada)
Phase:	Landing (LDG)
Nature:	Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Edmonton International Airport, AB (YEG/CYEG), Canada
Destination airport:	Yellowknife Airport, NT (YZF/CYZF), Canada
Flightnumber:	953

Narrative:
First Air flight 953 departed Edmonton at 11:30. As the aircraft approached Yellowknife, the spoilers were armed, and the aircraft was configured for a visual approach and landing on runway 33. The computed Vref was 128 knots, and target speed was 133 knots. While in the landing flare, the aircraft entered a higher-than-normal sink rate, and the pilot flying (the first officer) corrected with engine power and nose-up pitch. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear and bounced twice. While the aircraft was in the air, the captain took control and lowered the nose to minimize the bounce. The aircraft landed on its nose landing-gear, then on the main gear. The aircraft initially touched down about 1300 feet from the approach end of runway 33. During the third touchdown on the nose landing-gear, the left nose-tire burst. The aircraft was taxied to the ramp and shut down. The aircraft was substantially damaged.

FINDINGS AS TO CAUSES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
1. Incorrect bounced landing recovery procedures were carried out when the captain pushed forward on the control column to prevent a further bounce, and the aircraft landed nosewheel first.
2. The high sink rate on the initial flare was not recognized and corrected in time to prevent a bounced landing and a subsequent bounced landing.

Sources: