Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman near Dryden

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-CRU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8
YOM:
1937
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot encountered icing conditions when the engine failed. He reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in the bush and was damaged beyond repair. All occupants escaped without injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight caused by the carburetor icing while flying in freezing rain.

Crash of a Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair in Twin Falls

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
CF-EPX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goose Bay – Twin Falls
MSN:
6/7480
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
33
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, who had limited experience on Carvair aircraft, possibly wanted to touch down as early as possible on the short runway. The main wheels however struck the top of an embankment about 8 feet from the runway threshold. The pilot overshoot and had to feather the no. 2 prop immediately, because the engine was not developing power. The aircraft circled for a while and then touched down on its nosegear. The plane settled on the left wing and swung off the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot's distraction with the landing hazard led him to attempt a touchdown dangerously close to the runway threshold. The pilot was assigned to perform a landing on a marginal landing area.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Bradore Bay: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-RNP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon – Sainte-Augustine – Saint-Paul River – Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon
MSN:
164
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
5088
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Airport at 1530LT on a trip to Sainte-Augustine, Saint-Paul River and back to Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon. Seven passengers embarked at Saint-Paul River Airstrip. On the last leg, weather conditions deteriorated with fog and clouds down to 200 feet. In unknown circumstances, control was lost and the airplane crashed in an uninhabited area located near Bradore Bay. As the airplane failed to return to its base, SAR operations were conducted and three days later, three dead bodies and few debris were found. A week later, all operations were suspended as no trace of the main wreckage or the rest of the occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Loss of control for undetermined reason.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Fort Norman: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-EYV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
478
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While making a turn in marginal weather conditions, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the MacKenzie Mountain Range. The wreckage was found 177 km southwest of Fort Norman. All four occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Winisk

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-OBN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
N29-19
YOM:
1946
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from a lake located in Winisk, the single engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. As the shore was approaching, the pilot elected to turn when the airplane struck the ground and came to rest upside down. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the elevators were jammed in an unsuitable position for takeoff.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Shawnigan Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1968 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CF-FFY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Victoria - Victoria
MSN:
1842
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in Jarvis Lake on behalf of the BC Forest Service. While flying at low height, the airplane struck trees and crashed. Both pilots Thomas Swanson and Tom Worley were killed.
Probable cause:
Misjudgement of altitude on part of the crew.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Brisco: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-NJJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
202
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Brisco, while in initial climb, the pilot initiated a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a field. The pilot was killed while three passengers were injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good with a high OAT. The airplane was carrying boat equipment and its total weight was just within limits. The airplane was owned by Jim Lougheed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The aircraft performances and capabilities were reduced due to the high OAT,
- The total weight was just within limits,
- The speed was too low during the last turn, causing the aircraft to stall,
- Presence of strong winds.

Crash of a Fairchild F27J in Resolute Bay

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-GND
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yellowknife – Sherrard Bay
MSN:
113
YOM:
1965
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Yellowknife Airport on a schedule flight to Sherrard Bay, on Melville Island. En route, he was informed that a landing at Sherrard Bay Airstrip was impossible due to strong winds and was rerouted to Resolute Bay. On final, both engines failed and the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed few km south of the airfield, slid for several yards and came to rest, broken in two. All 12 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach caused by fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Boeing 707-138B in Vancouver: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1968 at 0558 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N791SA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Honolulu - Vancouver
MSN:
17698
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
CP322
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Copilot / Total hours on type:
344
Circumstances:
The approach to Vancouver Airport was completed in poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed 1,000 feet past the runway threshold and to the right of the centerline. After touchdown, the captain decided to make a go-around when control was lost. The airplane veered off runway to the right, went through the tarmac and eventually collided with a terminal building. Seventeen occupants were injured while 43 others were unhurt. The copilot and one person in the terminal were killed. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the horizontal visibility was limited to 200 meters due to fog with strong winds.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the approach configuration on part of the flying crew was wrong. At the time of the accident, both pilots were on duty since more than 21 hours and their concentration and performances were diminished due to intense fatigue. It was reported that the approach speed was too high while the rate of descent was too low.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S at Lake saint-Joseph

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CF-SMU
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
A-613
YOM:
1951
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed when it struck the lake's surface, while the pilot was trying to regain visual contact in fog. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured.
Crew:
Noel Love, pilot.
Passengers:
Dave Hooker,
Dr. J. A. Dowd.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued VFR into unfavorable weather. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Incorrect weather forecast,
- Improper in-flight planning,
- Exceeded ability, experience,
- Operating carelessly and recklessly.