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Canada

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Sechelt: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1979 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
West Coast Air Services
Registration:
C-FWAF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Vancouver – Sechelt – Powell River
MSN:
122
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
106
Location:
Sechelt
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
13815
Circumstances:
Flight 106 was a schedule service from Vancouver to Powell River with an intermediate stop at Sechelt. The flight to Sechelt was uneventful. While approaching Porpoise Bay at Sechelt, at an altitude of 200 feet, the twin engine airplane rolled to the right in an angle of 90° then nosed down and crashed on the east shore of the bay, about 50 meters from the water. The captain and a passenger were killed while 14 other occupants were injured, four of them seriously.
Probable cause:
The right-hand aileron bellcrank-to-aileron rod had separated from the bellcrank end fitting due to an extensive stress corrosion crack. This allowed the right-hand aileron to move up, causing asymmetric lift and irretrievable loss of control. The specified visual inspection of the rods was inadequate to detect stress corrosion cracking. Previous similar failures of flap rods on the DHC-6 had led to airworthiness action by the manufacturer and the DOT but these measures were not applied to the aileron rods which are of similar construction.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-7 Islander in Blinkhorn Point: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
C-FZVV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Comox - Port Hardy
MSN:
238
YOM:
1971
Location:
Blinkhorn Point (Victoria Island)
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Comox to Port Hardy, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to thick fog. The twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed on hilly terrain located in Blinkhorn Point, Victoria Island. Four passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Shoal Harbour: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1979
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Gulf-Air Aviation
Registration:
C-FODS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Shoal Harbour - Campbell River
MSN:
984
YOM:
1956
Location:
Shoal Harbour
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft, with pilot and five passengers on board was being flown from Shoal Harbour to Campbell River. The flight was the scheduled service operated daily from Campbell River with several stops along the coast and returning to Campbell River. On arrival at Shoal Harbour dock area, the aircraft was docked and one passenger got on board. The aircraft taxied out for departure. The take-off was from the harbour in a south easterly direction. Shortly after the lift-off from the water, and at a height of 100 feet, the aircraft made a 180° turn to the left and dived into the ground at an angle of 30°. The crash site was just inside the tree line and approximately 50 feet from the water’s edge. The plane exploded on impact and burned. One passenger walked out from the wreckage seconds after the crash but died in hospital at Vancouver the same day. There were therefore no survivors.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. As far as could be determined the aircraft was serviceable prior to impact.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Prince Rupert: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
C-FUVJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
B006
YOM:
1943
Location:
Prince Rupert
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Prince Rupert. Three occupants were rescued while seven others were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Maurelle Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1979
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
N68084
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Stuart Island - Quadra Island
MSN:
912
YOM:
1956
Location:
Maurelle Island
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Stuart Island on a short flight to Quadra Island, located 39 km away. About five minutes after takeoff, the pilot lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed few hundred meters off Maurelle Island. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

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

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1979
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
B-M Aviation
Registration:
C-GUIG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
735
YOM:
1954
Location:
Atlin
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While flying over mountainous terrain, the pilot realized that the summit was shrouded by clouds. He decided to turn back and initiated a turn to the left when he lost visual contact with the ground. The airplane struck the ground and crashed on a snow covered area. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger, seating in the cabin, was killed. It was reported that the aircraft was equipped with one seat only and the passenger was seating on the ground, without a seat belt.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Ocean Falls

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1978
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Gulf Air - Canada
Registration:
CF-EYS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bella Bella - Ocean Falls
MSN:
484
YOM:
1953
Location:
Ocean Falls
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Ocean Falls on a flight from Bella Bella, weather conditions worsened with a limited visibility due to snow falls. At low height, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed in the Cousins Inlet. The pilot, sole on board, was rescued.

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

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1978
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Canyon Airways
Registration:
C-GDAV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dragon Lake - Isaac Lake
MSN:
770
YOM:
1955
Location:
Quesnel
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
6905
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Dragon Lake on a charter flight to Isaac Lake located 65 miles to the east, carrying three passengers and a pilot. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions when the seaplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 12 miles northeast of Quesnel. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire and all four occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to low clouds.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot lost control of the airplane while flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions. Investigations revealed that at takeoff, the aircraft was 359 pounds overweight and the centre of gravity was 1.5 inch aft of the aft limit. After 45 minutes of flight, the aircraft would be 200 pounds overweight with a centre of gravity located 0.5 inch aft of the limit.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 off Vancouver: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1978 at 1742 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAIV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Victoria - Vancouver
MSN:
215
YOM:
1969
Location:
Vancouver
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
450
Circumstances:
Twin Otter C-FAIV, operating as a scheduled VFR flight, departed Victoria Harbour at 1718LT with Vancouver Harbour water-aerodrome as destination. The estimated time en route was 20 minutes. The flight proceeded normally and reported by Active Pass at 2,000 feet. This altitude was maintained in order to cross the Vancouver Control Zone in accordance with standard procedure; once out of the control zone, a slow descent was begun towards Vancouver Harbour. Normal radio procedures were followed as the flight reported by standard visual reporting points. Just before joining final approach, the transmission, "AIV, Third Beach", was made and landing clearance was given to the flight by the Harbour Tower. The approach continued, and when the aircraft reached approximately 175 feet above the surface, nine ground witnesses heard a loud noise from the aircraft. Two surviving witnesses also heard a noise. Power was subsequently applied and C-FAIV yawed left, rolled in the same direction and plunged into the harbour in a left-wing and nose-down attitude, 2 500 feet from the intended landing area. An ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) tone was heard by the tower controller 54 seconds after the radio call at Third Beach. The controller called the aircraft several times but there was no response. The flight had been of 24 minutes duration. Both pilots and nine passengers were killed while two others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were determined:
- The final approach to land was normal until an unusual noise occurred followed by loss of control,
- The aircraft dived into the water with left wing down, nose down and with some sideslip. Value of roll, pitch and yaw, at impact could not be estimated with useful accuracy,
- At impact, the complete left flap system was in the retracted position,
- The inboard span-wise push-pull flap control rod (inboard bell-crank to inboard rod, PT # C6CW-1029-1), was severely stress-corroded and had at least three longitudinal cracks; the rod had separated from its inboard fitting,
- It was deduced t h a t t h e in-flight failure of the left-hand inboard flap control rod led to sudden retraction of the complete left-hand flap system and sudden loss of control.
- The passengers had not been briefed in evacuation procedures,
- The crew was qualified for the type of operation in accordance with Transport Canada regulations. After the failure of the left flap control rod, no action by the pilot could have averted the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Powell River

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
West Coast Air Services
Registration:
CF-GEC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
B098
YOM:
1944
Location:
Powell River
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing off Powell River, the seaplane struck a dyke and sank. The pilot, sole on board, was unhurt.
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