Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 near Eureka

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1973
Operator:
Registration:
CF-WWP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12
YOM:
1966
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 70 km east of Eureka, NWT. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Casey: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1973 at 0710 LT
Registration:
N173W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Casey - Casey
MSN:
4674
YOM:
1957
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6050
Aircraft flight hours:
18624
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local spraying mission, carrying a crew of three and a load of 3,666 gallons of insecticides. After takeoff from runway 23, while in initial climb, the airplane entered a flat attitude then descended until it struck trees and crashed in flames about 3 km southwest of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations determined that the flaps were retracted at the time of the accident while the aircraft was flying at a relative low speed during initial climb. It is believed that this was likely a result of a premature retraction of the flaps on part of the flying crew below the minimum altitude of 500 feet, resulting in a loss of altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Rimouski: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1973
Operator:
Registration:
CF-QBB
Survivors:
No
MSN:
10081
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on an instrument approach to Rimouski Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a tree and crashed 5 km southeast of Rimouski. The airplane was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in the Northwest Territories

Date & Time: May 3, 1973 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04244
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3 34 447 01
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed the Polar Station SP-21 in the early morning on a flight to the North Pole (Arctic region) with six crew members and three scientists (hydrologists) on board, and was used for communications with Soviet submarines cruising in the Arctic zone. The crew found a suitable area to land located about 500 km north of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, NWT. After landing, the scientists proceeded to ice inspection and it was reported that the ice thickness was 47 cm, which was considered as insufficient to leave the aircraft parked for a long period. The decision was taken to leave the area to find another one when the left ski went through the ice, followed shortly later by the right ski. The aircraft was blocked into the ice and impossible to move. Due to the presence of sensible equipments on board, it was decided to destroy the airplane that partially sank. All nine occupants were evacuated two days later by the crew of an Antonov AN-2.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Montreal

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1973
Registration:
N5296M
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
T-219
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Montreal-Dorval Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and a limited visibility due to snow falls. Unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around manoeuvre. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned for similar reasons. During a third attempt, the crew descended below the glide to establish a visual contact with the ground when the airplane struck the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane slid in an open field before coming to rest few dozen meters short of runway. All eight occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew descended below the MDA in marginal weather conditions.

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Gander: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1973 at 2350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7691Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wichita – Portland – Gander
MSN:
340A-0190
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a delivery flight from Wichita to France via Portland and Gander. The approach to Gander was initiated by night and good weather conditions. On final, the pilot descended too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. Still owned by Cessna Aircraft, the airplane was on its way to France to be delivered to its future operator Flo Air.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who misjudged distance and altitude on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Visual conditions,
- Dark night,
- No visual reference.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Uranium City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-HNL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
621
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While checking the condition of a winter road located southwest of Uranium City, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. Control was lost and the airplane crashed about 12 NM southwest of Uranium City. A passenger was killed while three other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Frobisher Bay

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1973
Operator:
Registration:
CF-OOV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Frobisher Bay – Resolute Bay
MSN:
13300
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Frobisher Bay Airport, while climbing, one of the engine lost power. The crew elected to return when the airplane stalled and crashed by the airport. All three occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was returning from a major overhaul in Toronto few days ago.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power for unknown reason.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando in Sachs Harbour

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CF-HQI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30466
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing on a snow covered runway, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.