Crash of a Dornier DO.28A-1S in Charlie Lake

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PIY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charlie Lake - Redfern Lake
MSN:
3039
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Charlie Lake, the seaplane hit obstacles and crashed. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver on Mt Kennedy: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-ABA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
315
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While searching mountainous terrain for a missing aircraft, the pilot entered a narrow mountain valley at low altitude. While attempting to round to come back out of it the aircraft struck a tall tree while in a 60° bank to the left. and crashed in flames and burned. Four Persons sustained fatal injuries.
Source: www.dhc-2.com

Crash of a Convair CV-640 in Campbell River: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1969 at 1709 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PWR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vancouver - Campbell River
MSN:
440
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
PW627
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The Convair approached Campbell River with the weather just above minima (2-2,5 miles visibility, 400 feet broken ceiling and wind 110 degrees with gusts to 20 mph. The crew positioned the aircraft visually 2nm south of the airfield on a westerly heading preparatory to attempting an approach to the west. This would involve a right hand circuit flown above the broken south and west of the airport employing DME and ADF information. This improvised approach was not in accordance with published approach procedures under instrument conditions. After flying for 1 minute and 40 seconds the crew turned right. A few seconds after the captain expressed concern, the Convair struck a 1047 feet hill at 932 feet.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who failed to comply with the approved instrument approach procedure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3B-202A in Malcolm Island

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1969 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N139D
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Malcolm Island - Duluth
MSN:
2027
YOM:
1938
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12900
Captain / Total hours on type:
2655.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a charter flight from Malcolm Island to Duluth and the crew expedited the takeoff procedure to clear the runway for another aircraft who was scheduled to land. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 60-70 knots, the airplane began to swerve. It continued for about 1,500 feet before it veered off runway and came to a halt. All 25 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed the loss of control was caused by the fact that some of the locks were not removed before flight.

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

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-JOP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Port Hardy - Millbrook Cove
MSN:
1058
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Port Hardy at 0925LT on this float equipped Beaver on a mail flight to Millbrook Cove and other remote areas. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found. A partly burnt fuel gauge was found in the region of Bull Harbour on 16 June 1970 and it is believed it was part of the missing airplane.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Shaft Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-RNO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
21
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The ski equipped aircraft passed the overnight outside and in the morning, the pilot took off from Shaft Lake with a passenger. After takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient altitude to pass the mountains so the pilot attempted a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed on the snow covered slope of the mountain. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to clean the aircraft prior to takeoff. Departure was made with contaminated wings with ice and frost.

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 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 Consolidated PBV-1A Canso near Victoria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1967 at 1740 LT
Registration:
CF-FFX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Victoria - Victoria
MSN:
CV-293
YOM:
1941
Flight number:
Tanker 772
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10300
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3600
Copilot / Total hours on type:
53
Circumstances:
The crew was called at 1630LT for a forest fire that erupted on Skirt mountain near Victoria. The crew first made a scooping mission on the Saanich Inlet with more than 1,000 gallons of water. About an hour later, while flying at low height, the left wing of Tanker 772 struck a tree and the airplane crashed. Both pilots were killed, Alex Davidson (founder of The Flying Fireman) and Robert 'Paddy' Moore. The mission was completed on behalf of the BC Forest Service.
Probable cause:
Misjudgement of altitude on part of the flying crew.
Final Report: