The aircraft was an ATR 42-320 registered C-GWEA and was equipped with two PW121 turboprop engines produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada . The aircraft entered service in 1991 with Aviación del Noroeste , and was later operated in different fleets including Zambia Airways , United Nations , Fly540 , etc . The aircraft joined the fleet of West Wind Aviation in 2012 , and was aged 26.8 years at the time of the crash . This type of aircraft has previously been associated with accidents due to ice forming on the wing in freezing weather . The most notable accident was American Eagle Flight 4184 . Experts say that changes in procedures and aircraft systems have solved the problem
American Eagle Flight 4184
American Eagle Flight 4184
West Wind Aviation Flight 280