Canada | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While flying in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames on Maple Mountain, about 17 km southwest of Temagami. The pilot Bruce Elliott and three passengers were killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Libau

Date & Time: May 14, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

CF-GJN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Libau - Selkirk

MSN:

797

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft was being flown on a ferry permit to Selkirk, Manitoba for CofA renewal. The engine failed shortly after takeoff near Libau and the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a fallow field. Floats struck an elevated road on approach and the float brackets failed. The aircraft came to rest on it’s right wing and left float. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the engine failure was the consequence of a fuel starvation due to a blockage caused by corrosion in the fuel selector valve. Inspection revealed numerous discrepancies which rendered the aircraft unfit for flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in Mont-Joli

Date & Time: May 9, 1981

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Operator:

Registration:

C-GVGU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

YOM:

1962

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Mont-Joli. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in British Columbia

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1981 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

C-FAWA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1430

YOM:

1960

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

After takeoff from Fraser River, while in initial climb, the engine failed due to fuel starvation. The pilot turned steeply to avoid a bridge when the airplane struck a pylon, stalled and crashed. The pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the fuel selector was connected to the rear tank that was empty at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in Prince George

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

N55555

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

228

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances while taking off from Prince George, BC. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-40-DL in Lake Bienville

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

C-FIRW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

9834

YOM:

1943

Location:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft when through the ice (hot spot) while taxiing, because of wrong information given to the crew. The crew completed the emergency shut down and exited the aircraft by the main door.
There was no injury. The aircraft was bought by a third party and flown out after being taken back on thicker ice. Cancelled from registry in 1982.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Galt: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1981

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

C-FCSV

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

354

YOM:

1973

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a training flight on behalf of the Canadian Department of Transport. While flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the crew encountered engine problems. The airplane lost speed and height then struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. A crew member was seriously injured while two others were killed. It was reported that the right propeller was feathered at impact while smoke was coming from the left engine.

Crash of a Lockheed CC-130E Hercules near Chapais: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1980 at 1445 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

130312

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Trenton - Trenton

MSN:

4061

YOM:

1965

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was dispatched out from Trenton on a SAR operation for a missing helicopter. While flying at low height, the four engine airplane crashed in a wooded area located about 13 km west of Chapais. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew:
Cpt Dave Salmons, pilot, †
Cpt Ron Kavanagh, †
M/Cpl Allan Woodham, †
Sgt J. R. O'Neill, †
Cpl R. W. Fisher, †
Cpl R. J. Cocks, †
Cpl R. J. Taylor, †
Pvt W. D. Minnis, †
Cpt Dahl Manthorpe,
Mst W/O Bing Crosby.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Baie James: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1980 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Air Fecteau

Registration:

C-FDJO

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

121

YOM:

1951

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Dr. Pierre Bornais located at Fort George, Quebec, received a call at 1430LT and was informed that two children aged 4 and 9 have high fever and must be transferred as quick as possible to an hospital at Fort George. A De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver operated by Air Fecteau was chartered to transfer the boys who were leaving on Comb Island. The single engine airplane was carrying both children, their grandparents, a nurse and a pilot. While taking off in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck a wave with its tail and crashed in the Baie James, between Wemindji and Fort George. The aircraft sank and all six occupants were killed. At 1700LT, SAR teams were dispatched on site and the pilot body was found. All five other bodies were recovered a day later. The wreckage was recovered and later transferred.
Crew:
André Sigouin, pilot, aged 23.
Passengers:
Céliane Bernard, nurse, aged 23,
Jenny Kanatewat aged 4,
Bryan Kanatewat aged 9,
Albert Kanatewat aged 55,
Lucie Kanatewat aged 54.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Populus Lake

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1980

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Northwestern Flying Services

Registration:

C-FITW

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

928

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Populus Lake, while climbing to a height of 75 feet, the single engine airplane banked left, entered a dive and crashed. There were no casualties.