Region
North America

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 in Moncton

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CF-FKQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4301
YOM:
1942
Location:
Moncton
New Brunswick
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 29 at Moncton Airport, the airplane collided with a snow plough and came to rest. The captain was unhurt while the pilot and the snow plough's driver were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew landed on a runway that was closed to trafic due to a snow removal procedure.

Crash of a DouDouglas C-47A-1-DK in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CF-GXE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Calibration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
MSN:
12159
YOM:
1943
Location:
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Operated by the Department of Transport, the aircraft was engaged in a calibration flight at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Airport, Quebec. While in initial climb, the left engine failed, followed shortly later by the right engine. The crew attempted a belly landing in a field near the airport. The aircraft came to rest and was written off while all three occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation as the crew failed to position the fuel selector on the appropriate fuel tank.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Fort Nelson

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
CF-MOL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
440
YOM:
1944
Location:
Fort Nelson
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Fort Nelson, the single engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined the aircraft was unable to gain height due to an excessive accumulation of ice and frost on wings, elevators and tail.

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster into the Trinity Bay: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1961 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
Operator:
Registration:
51-17626
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kenitra – Lajes – Argentia – Norfolk
MSN:
43670
YOM:
1952
Location:
Trinity Bay
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While approaching Argentia-Bristol Field by night, the four engine aircraft crashed into the Trinity Bay about 50 km northeast of Argentia. In the early morning, few debris were found floating on water and all 23 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft disintegrated in the air, maybe following a major technical issue. Nevertheless, due to the lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior in Vancouver

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
CF-DTQ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1210
YOM:
1937
Location:
Vancouver
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident in Vancouver during the year 1960. The exact date remains unknown. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off. It was operated on behalf of the Canadian Department of Transportation.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune off Cape Race: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
128335
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
426-5181
Location:
Cape Race
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful patrol flight over the North Atlantic, the crew was returning to Argentia-Bristol Field NAS when, approaching the coast of Newfoundland in poor weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the ocean. Few debris were found floating on water off Cape Race (southeast part of Newfoundland) and all nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ltjg Billie M. Wertz, pilot,
Ltjg David Hardy, copilot,
Ltjg William T. Flynn, navigator,
Ad2 George P. Smith,
At2 Daniel R. Carlson,
Adr3 Lee Calvin Ashburn,
Ao1 Rocco S. Sallesa,
At1 Stillman Schulze Jr.,
Ams2 Don O. Voland.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman at Campbell Lake: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
CF-FOJ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
N29-32
YOM:
1947
Location:
Campbell Lake
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Campbell Lake, while climbing, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The pilot and two passengers were killed while a third passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb caused by the failure of the engine.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56A LodeStar in Weeks Lake

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Aerial Photography Company
Registration:
CF-CPA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2177
YOM:
1941
Location:
Weeks Lake
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing an aerial photography mission when he encountered engine problems. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in the tundra some 100 km northwest of Schefferville, Quebec. The twin engine airplane slid on its belly for dozen meters before coming to rest in a swampy area. While all occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was abandoned on site. It was recovered for rebuilt in 2007.
Probable cause:
Technical failure in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II near Stephenville: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
Operator:
Registration:
52-1062
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dover – Stephenville – Lajes – Mildenhall
MSN:
43971
YOM:
1952
Location:
Stephenville
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Dover to RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, with intermediate stops at Stephenville and Lajes, carrying a load of mail and medical supplies. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing in low visibility due to fog, the airplane struck a hill (450 feet) located about 10 km from the airfield and was destroyed upon impact. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Donald P. Sheehan, pilot,
Lt Robert E. Little, copilot,
Cpt Gerald E. Avery, pilot,
Lt Leon E. Pedersen, navigator,
Lt Harold G. Harrison, navigator,
M/Sgt Ben A. Sharpe, flight engineer,
T/Sgt Clark N. Orndorff, flight engineer,
M/Sgt Edward T. Retus, flight engineer,
A2c Wallace M. Williams, loadmaster.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Red Lake

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
CF-IRH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
836
YOM:
1945
Location:
Red Lake
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Red Lake, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and strong winds. He lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot was injured.
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