[1] The aircraft was an ATR 42-320 registered C-GWEA and was equipped with two PW121 turboprop engines produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada.

[2] The aircraft entered service in 1991 with Aviación del Noroeste, and was later transferred to a few operators, including Zambia Airways, United Nations, and Fly540.

During the initial climb stage, the aircraft lost altitude and impacted the terrain 600 metres (2,000 ft) away from the runway.

[6] There was no explosion nor fires at the crash site, but fuel leaks were found by nearby residents who rushed over for rescue work.

Nobody was killed initially, but six passengers and one crew member received serious injuries, at least five of whom were transported to hospital via air ambulance.

[12] They were allowed to fly again on May 8, 2018, after Transport Canada said West Wind had addressed the regulator's concerns about deficiencies in the company's operational control system.

Polls conducted by TSB also revealed that at least 40% of pilots rarely or never have their aircraft de-iced in remote airports.

Due to these findings, recommendation on better de-icing procedure throughout remote Canadian airports was issued to Transport Canada.