Norman Wells

The Buffalo Airways Curtiss C-46A (C-GTXW) was operating as flight 525 from Yellowknife, NT (YZF) to Norman Wells, NT (YVQ). While en route, approximately 140 nautical miles southeast of Norman Wells at 6500 feet above sea level, the crew noticed a drop in the right engine oil quantity indicator in conjunction with a propeller overspeed. The propeller pitch was adjusted to control the overspeed however, oil quantity indication continued to drop rapidly. A visual confirmation of the right engine nacelle confirmed that oil was escaping via the engine breather vent at an abnormally high rate. The right propeller speed became uncontrollable and the crew completed the "Prop overspeed drill". However, the propeller did not feather as selected. Several additional attempts were made to feather the propeller before it eventually feathered. The engine was secured and the shutdown checklist completed. The crew elected to divert to Tulita, NT (ZFN), but quickly determined that the descent rate would not permit that as an option. The only other option for diversion was Déline, NT (YWJ) where weather was reported at half a mile visibility and 300 feet ceiling. An emergency was declared with Déline radio. BFL525 was able to land at Déline however, the landing gear was not selected down to prevent further loss of airspeed resulting in a belly landing approximately midpoint of runway 08. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway coming to a stop approximately 700 feet beyond the threshold. The crew evacuated the aircraft sustaining no injuries however, the aircraft was destroyed.

The Buffalo Airways Limited Douglas C-54G-DC (DC-4), registration C-GXKN, serial number 36090, departed from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, at 1749 mountain standard time for a visual flight rules flight to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with a crew of four and 2000 pounds of cargo. While climbing through an altitude of approximately 3500 feet above sea level, the crew experienced a failure of the number 2 engine and a nacelle fire. The crew carried out the Engine Fire Checklist, which included discharging the fire bottles and feathering the number 2 propeller. The fire continued unabated. During this period, an uncommanded feathering of the number 1 propeller and an uncommanded extension of the main landing gear occurred. The crew planned for an emergency off-field landing, but during the descent to the landing area, the fuel selector was turned off as part of the Engine Securing Checklist, and the fire self-extinguished. A decision was made to return to the Norman Wells Airport where a successful two-engine landing was completed at 1804 mountain standard time. The aircraft sustained substantial fire damage, but there were no injuries to the four crew members on board.

The BN-2A Islander was on a night visual approach to Norman Wells (YVQ) in conditions of low ceilings and reduced visibility. At 500 feet above ground level (agl), the aircraft was in and out of the cloud base, and the pilot observed lights below. Believing he was over the town of Norman Wells, the pilot descended in an attempt to get below the cloud base for a visual right-hand circling approach to runway 08. The pilot was turning onto a northerly heading, when the aircraft struck the ice of the Mackenzie River. The right main gear broke off, and the aircraft bounced and remained airborne for approximately half a mile. It then skidded 600 feet along smooth ice into an area where large blocks of ice brought the aircraft to a stop.

While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain (6,200 feet high) located in the region of Norman Wells. The wreckage was found few hours later about 200 feet below the summit and both pilots have been killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

The crew was engaged in a prospect mission from Edmonton, Alberta, to Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, with intermediate stops in Peace River, Fort Vermilion, Hay River, Fort Providence and Fort Simpson. Following an uneventful flight, the crew prepared for landing in Fort Simpson. On approach to a snowy field, the aircraft hit the ground and nosed down. The right ski was torn off and the propeller broke off. Reparation were made on site and the aircraft could takeoff again. But shortly after departure, the engine lost power and the aircraft stalled and crashed on ground. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.