Northland Air Manitoba

Douglas DC-3C C-FADD was returning to Pickle Lake from Big Trout Lake following delivery of a cargo of fuel. This was the third similar and last operation of the day. As the aircraft approached Pickle Lake, the pilot informed the company dispatch office that, prior to landing, he intended to carry out some local training for the benefit of the co-pilot who was scheduled to be upgraded to captain status the following month. The captain, a company training pilot, occupied the right seat. The aircraft entered a west to east holding pattern at the airport's NDB, descending in stages from 8,500 feet asl to 2,700 feet asl, the appropriate altitude for an instrument approach. The pilot transmitted that they would execute an NDB approach and subsequently reported during the procedure turn inbound to the airfield. About three minutes later, two other pilots flying in the vicinity observed the aircraft in a descent with the left wing folded upwards. The aircraft continued descending in an inverted attitude until it struck the ground.

While completing a last turn at low height to land on Sharpe Lake, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into the lake. The aircraft was lost and both occupants were injured. Few hours later, the pilot died from his injuries.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from a fish camp to Selkirk. En route, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area. As the airplane failed to arrive at Selkirk, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The burnt wreckage was found in June 1966.