Region
North America

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando in Pelly Bay

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CF-IHQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
448
YOM:
1945
Location:
Pelly Bay
Nunavut
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Pelly Bay, the airplane was too low and struck the ground few hundred yards short of runway. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and the aircraft struck the ground while on the downwind leg of a circuit to land.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Port Hardy

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1960 at 1758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PWD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Port Hardy – Comox
MSN:
2940
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
PW104
Location:
Port Hardy
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after his departure from Port Hardy, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine failed and obtained the permission to return for a safe landing. To avoid any stall, the left engine power was increased to its maximum and the crew continued the descent in marginal weather conditions. The airplane landed at high speed and was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and eventually crashed against trees in a swampy area. All 51 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
The right engine failed because of a fatigue fracture of the reduction drive ring gear necessitating feathering of the propeller. Due to the presence of a fog bank, a steep approach was necessary with result that the landing was made at a higher than normal airspeed which, coupled with reduced braking action on the wet runway, caused the aircraft to overrun the landing area.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Oskélanéo

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
CF-BHY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
N29-6
YOM:
1945
Location:
Oskélanéo
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Oskélanéo, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls. While trying to land, the single engine aircraft struck a railway bridge and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all occupants were injured and rescued.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster in Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1959 at 2307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
CF-ILI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Montreal – Hall Beach
MSN:
10360
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
WH1658
Location:
Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
30357
Circumstances:
Flight 1658 took off from Montreal-Dorval runway 10 at 2244LT on a cargo flight to Hall Beach, NWT. Following takeoff the aircraft continued runway heading and climbed to 6,000 feet. Course was then changed and the aircraft climbed to the assigned altitude of 9,000 feet, reaching this altitude at 2259LT. Some 3 and a half minutes later the crew reported that they were in an emergency descent because of a no. 2 engine fire. Last radio contact was at 2307LT when the crew reported that the plane had lost its left wing and "was in a spin and going straight in". The DC-4 broke up in midair, causing wreckage to cover a 1,25 x 0,75 mile area. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
A fire of undetermined origin started in no.2 engine nacelle during the climb and developed to the stage where fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate to extinguish it. The following are considered to be primary contributing factors:
- The deteriorated condition of the exhaust collector ring,
- The probable deteriorated condition of the flexible wire braid hose assemblies,
- The probable use of high power during the climb,
- The possible failure of the fire detection and warning system to inform the pilot of the existence of a fire before it had penetrated the firewall and ignited the fuel feed system and oil tank to the rear of no.2 engine. During the rapid letdown, stresses were imposed on the weekened left wing by manoeuvre and/or gusts which were sufficient to sever the left wing spar. No subsequent action by the pilot could have brought the aircraft safely to the ground; neither was it possible to determine what effect a less rapid letdown would have had.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Sioux Lookout: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
CF-JEC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
469
YOM:
1944
Location:
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to a lake located in the region of Sioux Lookout, the pilot encountered strong winds and snow falls. On the last segment, the aircraft was caught by strong winds, causing the left wing tip to struck the water surface. The pilot increased engine power in an attempt to go around but the airplane plunged into water nose first and came to rest. The pilot and a passenger were injured while two other passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final caused by strong winds.

Crash of a Vickers 757 Viscount in Toronto

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viscount
Operator:
Registration:
CF-TGY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
143
YOM:
1956
Location:
Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
9404
Aircraft flight cycles:
7800
Circumstances:
On approach to Toronto-Malton Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. The aircraft descended below the glide until it struck the ground. On impact, then undercarriage and the engines were sheared and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest 3,400 feet short of runway threshold. All 38 occupants were evacuated, ten of them were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a misjudged approach on part of the flying crew but weather conditions were considered as poor with presence of windshear.

Crash of a Junkers W.33fi in Kootenay Lake

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.33
Operator:
Registration:
CF-AQW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
2587
YOM:
1932
Location:
Kootenay Lake
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:
Shortly after takeoff from Kootenay Lake, the aircraft stalled while avoiding power line and crashed. The occupant's fate remains unknown.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Kangiqsujuaq

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1959
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
CF-FHE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
9
YOM:
1948
Location:
Kangiqsualujjuaq (Wakeham Bay)
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
5500
Circumstances:
While taking off from a remote terrain located about 35 km southwest of Kangiqsujuaq (Wakeham Bay), the single engine aircraft failed to get airborne, veered off runway and came to rest upside down. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a fuel starvation due to a pilot inattention to fuel system (fuel selector on wrong tank, empty).

Crash of a Canadian-Vickers PBV-1A Canso off Puvirnituq

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)
Operator:
Registration:
CF-IHB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
CV-294
YOM:
1941
Location:
Puvirnituq
Quebec
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The departure from Puvirnituq harbor was performed in foggy conditions. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the left when the left engine lost power. The seaplane lost height and crashed into the bay, few dozen yards off shore. All 12 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on the left engine shortly after takeoff due to the presence of water in the fuel supply system.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A off Prince Rupert: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)
Operator:
Registration:
11041
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
CV-331
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
121
Location:
Prince Rupert
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On landing in the harbor of Prince Rupert, the seaplane struck a floating object, came to rest and sank. A crew member was killed while eight others were rescued.
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