Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Sachigo Lake

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1986
Operator:
Registration:
C-GNNA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12483
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft, with two crew members, two passengers, and a load of cargo, struck a 150-foot-high radio tower, while the crew was manoeuvring to land in poor weather. As the aircraft then became difficult to control, the crew carried out a wheels-up forced landing. During the landing, the cargo of drums containing automotive gasoline broke free, causing damage and trapping the passengers. Once the drums were moved, the passengers were able to leave the aircraft through the cockpit escape hatch. The pilot-in-command and a passenger were seriously injured. The Canadian Aviation Safety Board determined that the flight was continued into below VFR weather conditions. In addition, it was determined that the cargo had not been secured in accordance with the requirements of the company's operating certificate.
Probable cause:
The following findings were reported:
- The crew initiated a VFR flight based on weather forecasts indicating that suitable weather conditions would exist for the duration of the flight.
- En route weather conditions deteriorated below those required for VFR flight.
- The flight was continued into below VFR weather conditions.
- During an attempt to navigate using the automatic direction finding equipment and to maintain visual reference with the ground, the pilot manoeuvred at a low altitude, and the aircraft struck the NDB tower.
- A wheels-up forced landing was carried out because the crew was having difficulty controlling the aircraft and was uncertain about the damage sustained in the collision.
- The passenger's injuries would have been reduced had a shoulder harness been worn.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Toronto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1984
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GAPT
Survivors:
No
MSN:
31-7620004
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On approach to Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed about 11 km short of runway threshold. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Orillia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1984 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GXFZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto – Muskoka
MSN:
500-0032
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
DB511
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
10996
Circumstances:
The crew departed Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport at 1107LT on a training flight to Muskoka Airport. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 9,500 feet, the crew was cleared to make a low pass over Orillia Airport. Following a passage at an altitude of about 150-200 feet and a speed of 200 knots, the crew initiated a climb when, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the aircraft banked right then got inverted and crashed in a near vertical attitude. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso in Thunder Bay

Date & Time: May 14, 1984
Registration:
C-GFFD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Thunder Bay - Thunder Bay
MSN:
CV-441
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 5
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Thunder Bay, while climbing, the right engine failed while the left engine lost power. The aircraft descended, struck obstacles and eventually crashed in a prairie. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines during initial climb because the fuel was contaminated by water.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Landsdowne House: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
C-GTLA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sandy Lake – Landsdowne House – Thunder Bay
MSN:
632
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The Twin Otter was completing a schedule service from Sandy Lake to Thunder Bay with an intermediate stop in Landsdowne House, carrying five passengers and two pilots. On approach, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions and the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure. A second circuit was completed without losing sight of the airfield. During the second attempt to land, the pilot-in-command reported 'runway in sight' and the copilot called for radioaltimer at 200 feet altitude. On short final, the captain reported he was encountering whiteout conditions when the airplane struck the snow-covered and icy surface of the lake about 1,200 feet short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the nose gear was torn off then the aircraft struck rocky terrain and eventually came to rest in flames about 600 feet short of runway. A passenger was seriously injured while both pilots escaped with minor injuries. Four passengers were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred during a visual approach in reduced visibility and difficult weather conditions (white conditions). Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Toronto: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1983 at 0858 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GUBT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Toronto
MSN:
12424
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
A Douglas C-47A cargo plane was destroyed when it crashed while in final approach to Toronto International Airport, ON (YYZ), Canada. Both pilots were killed. Skycraft Air Transport Flight 505 operated on a cargo flight from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE), USA. It was loaded with 6 wire mesh baskets, each almost filled with automobile roof bows. On completion of the loading, the crew chief stated he asked the flight crew if they wished the load tied down. They responded by saying they would take care of it. Flight 505 departed Cleveland at 07:45, on a VFR flight plan. The Toronto terminal controller gave a few small heading changes to direct the flight to the instrument landing system (ILS) localizer for an almost straight-in approach to runway 06R, then transferred it to the arrival controller, who continued vectoring the aircraft. During the approach, the arrival controller twice requested Flight 505 to maintain its best speed for spacing from other aircraft. The crew initially reported they were flying their maximum speed, and later indicated they were at their best speed as the aircraft was fairly heavy. Flight 505 called the tower over the outer marker and was cleared to land. After crossing the threshold 100 to 150 ft above the runway, the nose of the aircraft smoothly rose 5 to 10 deg. The nose then dropped an almost equal number of degrees, as if a correction had been made for the nose high attitude. This up, then down pitch movement was quickly followed by two pitch oscillations of increasing speed and magnitude. On the fourth oscillation, the nose continued to rise 45 to 60 deg. and the aircraft started to climb. The engine noise seemed to increase as the aircraft pitched up for the last time. At approximately 200 ft, as the aircraft reached the apex of its climb, the left wing dropped and the aircraft yawed to the left approximately 90 degrees. The wings levelled, then the aircraft fell into the field to the right side of the runway. The time between the beginning of the first oscillation and the impact with the ground is estimated to have been approximately 10 seconds. On impact the right main gear ruptured a fuel tank and a post-impact fuel fire ensued.
Probable cause:
The aircraft's weight and centre of gravity limits were exceeded, and the cargo was not secured. These factors led to loss of control of the aircraft.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Bonner Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GVHS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
733
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was attempting to take off from a confined lake. The aircraft was near maximum weight and the temperature was high. He had planned a “go, no go” position and reported that the aircraft was on the step by this point. He realised himself that the takeoff would be successful. The pilot initiated a climb before a safe speed was reached and the aircraft did not accelerate properly. In order to avoid high terrain the pilot commenced a turn to the right. The aircraft began to mush and then stalled on the lake surface. The passengers stated that because there were no seats available they sat on top of the cargo.
Source: www.dhc-2.com

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Dasent Lake: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-FOCX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
78
YOM:
1950
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The float plane was observed on take-off and initial climb before it disappeared behind a point of land. Shortly after, it impacted the surface of the lake in a left wing low attitude with considerable slip to the left. Reports describing the noises coming from the engine immediately before impact, are conflicting. Examination of the propeller indicated there was little or no power being developed at impact. Engine examination indicated it capable of producing power at impact. (lp 233/83 refers). The aircraft was fitted with an external fuel tank underneath the fuselage, but the log books and the weight and balance did not reflect this addition. An unapproved bench was installed in the centre cabin area, and the aircraft had no visible means of load restraint.
Source: www.dhc.2.com
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident remains undetermined. The pilot and four passengers were killed. The aircraft was reported as destroyed, although some parts may still exist.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 65 in Toronto: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N99S
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Toronto
MSN:
465-64
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On approach to Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport following an uneventful flight from Philadelphia, the airplane rolled left and right then lost altitude and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found 13 km from runway 24R threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed, among them Ross Henningar, President and CEO of Sun Oil Company (Sunoco).
Probable cause:
Loss of control on approach following an internal failure in the low pressure compressor of the right engine while the left engine flamed out and was windmilling at impact. Investigations were unable to determine the cause of these occurrences. It was also noted that the anti-icing systems were not activated prior to the accident while icing conditions have been forecasted.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in North Bay

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GBSG
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31-841
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching North Bay Airport, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances six km from the airfield. There were no casualties.