Crash of a Convair CV-640 in Campbell River: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1969 at 1709 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PWR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vancouver - Campbell River
MSN:
440
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
PW627
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The Convair approached Campbell River with the weather just above minima (2-2,5 miles visibility, 400 feet broken ceiling and wind 110 degrees with gusts to 20 mph. The crew positioned the aircraft visually 2nm south of the airfield on a westerly heading preparatory to attempting an approach to the west. This would involve a right hand circuit flown above the broken south and west of the airport employing DME and ADF information. This improvised approach was not in accordance with published approach procedures under instrument conditions. After flying for 1 minute and 40 seconds the crew turned right. A few seconds after the captain expressed concern, the Convair struck a 1047 feet hill at 932 feet.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who failed to comply with the approved instrument approach procedure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3B-202A in Malcolm Island

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1969 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N139D
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Malcolm Island - Duluth
MSN:
2027
YOM:
1938
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12900
Captain / Total hours on type:
2655.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a charter flight from Malcolm Island to Duluth and the crew expedited the takeoff procedure to clear the runway for another aircraft who was scheduled to land. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 60-70 knots, the airplane began to swerve. It continued for about 1,500 feet before it veered off runway and came to a halt. All 25 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed the loss of control was caused by the fact that some of the locks were not removed before flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Bull Harbour: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-JOP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Port Hardy - Millbrook Cove
MSN:
1058
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Port Hardy at 0925LT on this float equipped Beaver on a mail flight to Millbrook Cove and other remote areas. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found. A partly burnt fuel gauge was found in the region of Bull Harbour on 16 June 1970 and it is believed it was part of the missing airplane.

Crash of a Vickers 757 Viscount in Seven Islands: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-THK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Seven Islands - Montreal
MSN:
271
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Seven Islands Airport, while climbing, the crew reported a fire on engine number two and was cleared to return for a safe landing. After touchdown, the crew started an emergency braking procedure when control was lost due to fire in the left main gear wheel well. The airplane veered off runway to the right before coming to rest in flames. A passenger died during the evacuation and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Overheating of the starter selector relay during starting of no.1 and 2 engines. The proximity of a wire bundle to the relay provided a source of combustibles for the initial fire.

Crash of a Fairchild F27F in Fort McMurray

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PAP
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
125
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot attempted to land on a short and narrow runway, without being able to determine the wind direction and strength. The aircraft landed downwind at a higher than recommended speed, bounced and touched down 1900 feet past the threshold. Braking action and deceleration were not satisfactory and the pilot elected to overshoot. Takeoff power was applied, but the gear struck a snow bank at the end of the runway and the F27 continued into trees, coming to rest 1800 feet beyond the end of the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot did not operate the aircraft according to the recommended limits and procedures; The operator did not provide adequate ground facilities; The operator provided incorrect information to the pilot by approving an inadequate landing area.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Fond-du-Lac: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CF-FHQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
42
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Fond-du-Lac, killing both occupants, a pilot and a passenger.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Shaft Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-RNO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
21
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The ski equipped aircraft passed the overnight outside and in the morning, the pilot took off from Shaft Lake with a passenger. After takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient altitude to pass the mountains so the pilot attempted a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed on the snow covered slope of the mountain. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to clean the aircraft prior to takeoff. Departure was made with contaminated wings with ice and frost.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in The Pas

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-XJM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
29
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, a fire erupted on board and the pilot reduced his altitude to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near The Pas and was destroyed by a post crash fire. There were no casualties.