British Columbia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While descending to Port Hardy, a fire erupted in the cabin. The pilot attempted an emergency landing and while there were no injuries, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Martin JRM-3 Mars on Mt Moriarty: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1961

Type of aircraft:

Martin JRM-3 Mars

Operator:

Forest Industries Flying Tankers

Registration:

CF-LYJ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

9265

YOM:

1946

Location:

Mt Moriarty (Vancouver Island)

British Columbia

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taking part to a fire fighting mission in the region of Parksville, Vancouver Island, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Moriarty located north of Fourth Lake. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed the accident was the consequence of a failure of the water drop mechanism, which left the aircraft too heavy to climb quickly enough to avoid the mountain. However, no definite cause has officially been documented for this accident.

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

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Pax fatalities:

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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.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Okanagan Falls: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1958

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

CF-FHW

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

YOM:

1949

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a patrol flight, taking part to a search for a murder suspect. In flight, the single engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain bordering the Skaha Lake, near Okanagan Falls. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman near Bamfield

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1958

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

CF-OBM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

N29-18

YOM:

1946

Location:

Bamfield (Vancouver Island)

British Columbia

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying in the vicinity of Bamfield at a relative low altitude, the pilot made a sharp turn when the single engine airplane lost height and crashed into a lake. All three occupants were quickly rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.