Hall Beach (Sanirajak) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Hall Beach Airport in Sanirajak, the hydraulic pressure failed on engine number four. The captain elected to return to Hall Beach when the oil pressure failed as well on engines number two and three. The crew realized that it would be impossible to reach the airport so the captain decided to make an emergency landing north of the airfield. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest in a snow covered terrain located few km from runway 36 threshold. While all 21 occupants were unhurt, among them Governor General of Canada Raymond Massey, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The airplane was involved in a special mission over the North Pole.

Probable cause:

Failure of the hydraulic pressure on engine two, three and four. Improper engine warm up had lead to internal damage on all engines, resulting in gradual loss of oil pressure.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster in Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1959 at 2307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

CF-ILI

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Montreal – Hall Beach

MSN:

10360

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

WH1658

Location:

Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon

Quebec

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

30357

Circumstances:

Flight 1658 took off from Montreal-Dorval runway 10 at 2244LT on a cargo flight to Hall Beach, NWT. Following takeoff the aircraft continued runway heading and climbed to 6,000 feet. Course was then changed and the aircraft climbed to the assigned altitude of 9,000 feet, reaching this altitude at 2259LT. Some 3 and a half minutes later the crew reported that they were in an emergency descent because of a no. 2 engine fire. Last radio contact was at 2307LT when the crew reported that the plane had lost its left wing and "was in a spin and going straight in". The DC-4 broke up in midair, causing wreckage to cover a 1,25 x 0,75 mile area. All five crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

A fire of undetermined origin started in no.2 engine nacelle during the climb and developed to the stage where fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate to extinguish it. The following are considered to be primary contributing factors:
- The deteriorated condition of the exhaust collector ring,
- The probable deteriorated condition of the flexible wire braid hose assemblies,
- The probable use of high power during the climb,
- The possible failure of the fire detection and warning system to inform the pilot of the existence of a fire before it had penetrated the firewall and ignited the fuel feed system and oil tank to the rear of no.2 engine. During the rapid letdown, stresses were imposed on the weekened left wing by manoeuvre and/or gusts which were sufficient to sever the left wing spar. No subsequent action by the pilot could have brought the aircraft safely to the ground; neither was it possible to determine what effect a less rapid letdown would have had.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Hall Beach

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

CF-HFQ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

SET16

YOM:

1946

Location:

Hall Beach (Sanirajak)

Nunavut

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to abandon the departure and started an emergency braking procedure for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine aircraft overran, lost its right main gear and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Hall Beach

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

CF-HZI

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

22387

YOM:

1945

Location:

Hall Beach (Sanirajak)

Nunavut

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Hall Beach Airport, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.