Polar bears drawn to Resolute Bay plane wreckage

The wreckage of First Air flight 6560, which crashed coming in for a landing on Aug. 20, is scattered across a hillside to one side of the airport at Resolute Bay. Now, the rotting food carried as cargo on the flight is attracting polar bears. (PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE RIVERS, APTN IQALUIT)

Investigators working the scene of the downed First Air flight 6560 in Resolute Bay have had their work cut out for them this week.

But in recent days, visits from hungry polar bears have added to the challenge.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Paul Solomon said only two polar bear sightings have been confirmed, but Canadian Rangers remain on predator patrols as the team of investigators comb the wreckage site.

Flight 6560, chartered by the Resolute Bay-based South Inn camp, was carrying about 5,000 pounds of fruit, vegetable and frozen meat when it crashed into a hill outside of town Aug. 20.

“So with above freezing temperatures and wind, the food cargo is starting to rot and the bears are drawn to the smell,” Solomon said Aug. 25. “But so far, we’ve been lucky.”

Crews are using “bear bangers” to scare away approaching polar bears, and the animals have been responsive, Solomon said.

But there are concerns that the number of polar bears could increase in the coming days, Solomon said, as the 600 or so pounds of meat continue to thaw.

The food cannot be cleared from the scene until the investigation is complete, he said.

Nearly all the cargo carried on the Boeing 737-200 C was food – the rest likely consisted of mechanical parts for vehicle maintenance.

Investigators are examining through the plane’s contents today, looking for salvageable items and personal belongings of the plane’s passengers.

Some items, such as cell phones, have been recovered, Solomon said.

These will be returned to survivors and victims’ families once the investigation is complete, he said.