Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Tofino: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 2024 at 1248 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N264DC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tofino - Portland
MSN:
421C-1248
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed nearby the runway, bursting into flames. One occupant was rescued while two others were killed. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. It is believed that the pilot encountered technical problems with an engine shortly after liftoff.

Crash of a Quest Kodiak 100 near Tofino: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2023 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GKTX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Masset - Tofino
MSN:
100-0010
YOM:
2009
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Masset to Tofino, the single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in hilly terrain about 29 km northwest of Tofino. Two occupants were killed and two others were rescued.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II on Vargas Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 2013 at 1425 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GFMX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Abbotsford - Tofino
MSN:
421B-0939
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
8500
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing a flight from Abbotsford to Tofino with two people on board (a father aged 51 and his son aged 25). On approach to Tofino Airport, on Vancouver Island, the aircraft impacted ground and crashed on Vargas Island, off Tofino. The burnt wreckage was found the following day and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Port Alberni: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 2006 at 1420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GRXZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tofino – Vancouver
MSN:
208B-0469
YOM:
1995
Flight number:
RXX604
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2480
Captain / Total hours on type:
750.00
Circumstances:
The Cessna 208B aircraft (registration C-GRXZ, serial number 208B0469) was en route at 9000 feet above sea level, from Tofino, British Columbia, to Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia, when the engine failed. The pilot began a glide in the direction of the Port Alberni Regional Airport before attempting an emergency landing on a logging road. The aircraft struck trees during a steep right-hand turn and crashed. The accident occurred at about 1420 Pacific standard time, approximately 11 nm south-southeast of the Port Alberni Regional Airport. Five passengers survived with serious injuries; the pilot and the other two passengers were fatally injured.
Probable cause:
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The engine lost power when a compressor turbine blade failed as a result of the overstress extension of a fatigue-generated crack. The fracture initiated at a metallurgical anomaly in the parent blade material and progressed, eventually resulting in blade failure due to overstress rupture.
2. The combination of aircraft position at the time of the engine failure, the lack of equipment enabling the pilot to locate and identify high terrain, and the resultant manoeuvring required to avoid entering instrument flight conditions likely prevented the pilot from attempting to glide to the nearest airfield.
Findings as to Risk:
1. Single-engine instrument flight rules (SEIFR) operations in designated mountainous regions have unique obstacle risks in the event of an engine failure. Canadian equipment requirements for such operations do not currently include independent terrain mapping, such as terrain awareness and warning systems (TAWS).
2. Airline operators are not currently required to conduct any additional route evaluation or structuring to ensure that the risk of an off-field landing is minimized during SEIFR operations.
3. Pilots involved in commercial SEIFR operations do not receive training in how to conduct a forced landing under instrument flight conditions; such training would likely improve a pilotís ability to respond to an engine failure when operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
4. Mean time between failure (MTBF) calculations do not take into account In Flight Shut Downs (IFSDs) not directly attributable to the engine itself; it may be more appropriate to monitor all IFSD events.
5. The design of the Cessna 208B Caravan fuel shutoff valves increases the risk that the valves will open on impact, allowing fuel spillage and increasing the potential for fire.
Other Finding:
1. Sonicblue Airways was not providing downloaded engine parameter data for engine condition trend monitoring (ECTM) evaluation at appropriate intervals.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Cameron Lake

Date & Time: May 8, 1991 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FQRI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vancouver – Tofino
MSN:
326
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was supposed to proceed under VFR mode to the west but as weather conditions deteriorated with low clouds, he decided to continue to the south. While flying between two mountains, the single engine aircraft encountered atmospheric turbulences and the pilot elected to return when the aircraft lost height and struck trees. Upon impact, both wings were torn off and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area. All 11 occupants were injured, four of them seriously.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose on Mt Hooper: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-FPVE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tofino - Nanaimo
MSN:
1200
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the seaplane struck the slope of Mt Hooper located 45 km southwest of Nanaimo. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman off Vancouver Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-GRQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Zeballos – Tofino
MSN:
328
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a flight from Zeballos to Tofino, the single engine aircraft disappeared. As it failed to arrive, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the seven occupants was found. It is believed the aircraft may have crash into the sea off the Vancouver Island.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman off Tofino

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-BDD
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11
YOM:
1937
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed while landing in the Tofino's harbor. Floats were sheared off while landing on glassy water. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-1-FO Liberator VIII near Bamfield: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1945 at 1510 LT
Operator:
Registration:
11121
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Patricia Bay – Comox – Tofino – Patricia Bay
MSN:
3986
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Tofino Airport, while flying at an altitude of 2,800 feet in low visibility due to clouds, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 7 miles east southeast of Bamfield, in the Somerset Range. The wreckage was found for days later (July 17) in an isolated area and all 14 occupants were killed.
Crew (11th Squadron):
F/O W. E. Davies, pilot,
F/O R. J. Martello,
F/O N. M. Popovich,
F/O H. A. Lowe,
W/O V. C. Crosson,
W/O J. B. Presse,
F/Sgt D. W. Hope.
Passengers:
Sgt Bennett,
Cpl N. W. Johnson,
Cpl W. Hrysko,
Cpl N. Johnston,
LAC R. B. Kitely,
LAC L. H. Tull,
LAW M. Mann.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A off Tofino

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
11007
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tofino – Vancouver
MSN:
CV-285
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tofino, the seaplane lost height and crashed 5 km east of Tofino. All 12 crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by an engine failure.