Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Abitibi Canyon: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1976 at 1337 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-MIT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moosonee - Timmins
MSN:
372
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
11573
Circumstances:
On Saturday 4th September '76 at approximately 12:00 hours, the pilot while preparing Otter MIT for flight, called the local company radio operator to request weather information for his VFR flight to Timmins. The operator transmitted the 11:23 terminal forecast for Timmins, the 10:00 observation for Moosonee and the 11:18 special observation for Timmins. The terminal reports for Moosonee and Timmins were much better than forecast and acceptable for VFR flight. At about 12:10 the radio operator at Moosonee received a special weather observation for Timmins which indicated deteriorating weather but did not pass this vital information to the pilot at that time. The Otter departed at 12:30 and shortly after take off the pilot advised the company operator at Moosonee that his estimated time of arrival at the South Porcupine seaplane base was 14:30. A few minutes later the radio operator attempted several times to contact the aircraft, to pass the new weather information,but without success. No other radio transmission was heard from the Otter. Because the flight was operating under VFR rules and because some of his passengers had limited time to make airline connections at Timmins, the pilot elected for the direct route, a distance of 165 nautical miles between the Moosonee and Timmins NDBs. To follow this route, the pilot would have used his ADF radio equipment and / or map reading techniques. Considering the cloud ceilings were at about one thousand feet and some terrain in the area rises to 950 feet, the deteriorating conditions would have induced the pilot to divert from the planned track. Since the accident site was 28 miles west of the direct track, it is probable that he diverted westward toward lower terrain to go around poor weather. Arriving at the Abitibi River, he followed the river southward to the accident site near the Abitibi Canyon Dam. The valley narrows and the terrain rises at this site of the power dam. It is believed that the pilot found the visibility decreasing rapidly in dense upslope fog in this vicinity. At 13:37 hours the aircraft struck the high tension electrical cables near the generating station and crashed to the ground. After impact a fire developed and consumed the aircraft, which had 11,573 hours on the airframe at the time. From the geometry of the wirestrike, it is probably that the pilot saw the wires and commenced a climbing turn to try and get over them, but had insufficient time to avoid the collision. The airplane has been chartered for the Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning for Ontario.
Source: http://www.dhc-3archive.com & Karl E. Hayes.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Island Lake

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-OBO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
N29-24
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot started the descent to Island Lake at sunset and the visibility was limited. On final approach to the lake, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the water surface and came to rest upside down. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Ile-à-la-Crosse

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FMPW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Prince Albert – Buffalo Narrows
MSN:
271
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
13435
Circumstances:
The Otter had taken off that day from Prince Albert on a flight to Buffalo Narrows. Six miles north of Ile-à-la-Crosse, following an engine failure, the pilot made a forced landed in the bush and the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair. The flight had proceeded for one hour forty minutes without incident when there was a loud bang from the engine, followed by a complete power loss. Smoke was emitted into the cockpit and the pilot commenced a forced landing. Attempts to regain power were to no avail and the pilot transmitted a mayday, which was acknowledged by another aircraft. The Otter touched down in a semi-clear area in bush country in a nose high, full flap configuration. The pilot and passenger evacuated the Otter fearing a post crash fire, however none followed. They were located by a rescue party a short time after the crash.
Source: http://www.dhc-3archive.com & Karl E. Hayes.
Probable cause:
The power loss was the result of a failure of the master rod and link rods.

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

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FODP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
103
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
5586
Circumstances:
Shortly after becoming airborne, the left wing dropped and struck the water. It was a warm, summer's day with a temperature of 23° C and a wind of 15 knots. The aircraft turned approximately 150° after the wing struck the water and crashed on the shore of an island. Fire started on impact and consumed most of the aircraft, although there were no injuries to the pilot and four passengers.
Source: Karl E. Hayes
Probable cause:
The subsequent report blamed the accident on “improper compensation for wind”.

Crash of a Cessna 401A off Toronto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6203Q
Survivors:
No
MSN:
401A-0003
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Toronto City-Billy Bishop Airport, while completing a last turn, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Lake Ontario. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. They were flying to Toronto to take part to a physicians annual convention. The pilot, Dr. Donald Frankel, was the president of the Flying Physicians Association. His secretary Luella Roberts and Jacquelin Ann Boehne were also killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Asbestos

Date & Time: May 20, 1976
Operator:
Registration:
CF-FKZ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9052
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Asbestos Airstrip, Quebec. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

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

Date & Time: May 14, 1976 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PNV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
126
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff at Lynn Lake Airport, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed onto the runway. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Stall at takeoff due to improper loading.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Ucluelet: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-FRJG
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1550
YOM:
1964
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft swerved to the left and struck the water while skidding to the right while avoiding a cement channel mark in reduced visibility. A passenger drowned while three other occupants were rescued.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Yellowknife: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1976
Operator:
Registration:
C-FBQJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Radium - Yellowknife
MSN:
143
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While descending to Yellowknife Airport, the pilot encountered whiteout conditions. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airfield. A passenger was injured while two other occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in North West River: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-GFS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1634TB19
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from an icy lake, the airplane nosed down and crashed. Two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured.