Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

Canadair CL-601 Challenger

The crew (one instructor and three pilots under training) departed Shearwater Airport on a local training mission. The crew decided to perform a flapless landing but the aircraft arrived too high and to correct the situation, the pilot-in-command nosed down when the aircraft landed very hard and bounced. The crew initiated a go-around procedure and decided to follow a holding pattern after being informed by ATC based in the tower that the right main gear seems to be damaged. About 40 minutes later, the right main gear fell away. The right engine then lost power and a fire erupted in the right wheel well. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return to Shearwater Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft sank on its right side then rolled for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All four occupants escaped uninjured before an explosion occurred in the central fuel tank.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The aircraft was dispatched at Wainwright Airport to practice cargo drop and parachute deployment test. While passing over the runway at low height, the aircraft went out of control, struck the runway surface and crashed, bursting into flames. Five crew members were killed in the accident. The call sign is not confirmed. Those killed were: Cpt Michael G. Allen, Cpt Vincent L. Schurman, M/WO Joseph Sylvio Castonguay, Sgt Alain Michaud, M/Cpl Ronald J. McWilliam.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Every year, in the cold and darkness of late October, personnel at Canadian Forces Station Alert on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, gather at a cairn near the runway to remember the crew and passengers of Hercules 130322 who lost their lives during a resupply mission to the station. On October 30, 1991, at approximately 4:40 p.m., flight 22 of Operation Boxtop – as the biannual resupply mission is called – was on its final approach to the station from Thule Air Force Base in Greenland. As the CC-130 Hercules from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, loaded with 3,400 litres of diesel fuel, began its descent, the pilot flying lost sight of the runway. Moments later, radar contact and communication were lost as the aircraft crashed approximately 16 km south of the station. The crew of another CC-130 Hercules, also bound for Alert, saw the fires of the crash and identified the location of Boxtop 22. The crash took the lives of five Canadian Armed Forces members – four died in the crash and one perished before help arrived – and led to the boldest and most massive air disaster rescue mission ever undertaken by the Canadian military in the High Arctic. Thirteen lives were saved. Within a half hour of the rescue call, a Hercules carrying 12 search and rescue technicians from 440 Search and Rescue Squadron in Edmonton, Alberta, was in the air. It reached the crash site seven and a half hours later, but the SAR technicians couldn’t descend due to the weather. Another Hercules from 413 Search and Rescue Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, soon joined the search. Meanwhile, search and rescue technicians formed a ground rescue team at Alert and set out overland for the crash site, guided through the darkness and horrendous weather conditions by a Hercules. The survivors, some soaked in diesel fuel, endured high winds and temperatures between -20C and -30C. Many sheltered in the tail section of the downed aircraft but others were more exposed to the elements. Finally, the 413 Squadron team finally got a break in the weather and six SAR technicians parachuted into the site more than 32 hours after the crash and began looking for survivors. They were joined soon after by more SAR technicians. When the ground rescue team finally arrived – 21 hours after it had set out – 26 rescuers were on the ground. They warmed and treated the injured and prepared them for medical evacuation. A Twin Huey helicopter from Alert made three trips to bring the survivors back to the station. Once again this year, personnel at Alert will conduct a parade on October 30 to commemorate the crash. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue through the 4:40 p.m. timing when the crash occurred. Those killed were: Cpt John Couch, pilot, Cpt Judy Trépanier, logistics officer, M/WO Tom Jardine, regional services manager CANEX, W/O Robert Grimsley, supply technician, M/Cpl Roland Pitre, traffic technician. Those who survived were: Robert Thomson, Susan Hillier, Cpt Richard Dumoulin, logistics officer, Cpt Wilma DeGroot, doctor, Lt Joe Bales, pilot, Lt Mike Moore, navigator, M/WO Marc Tremblay, supply technician, Sgt Paul West, flight engineer, M/Cpl Tony Cobden, communications researcher, M/Cpl David Meace, radio technician, M/Cpl Mario Ellefsen, communications researcher, M/S “Monty” Montgomery, communications researcher, Pvt Bill Vance, communications researcher. Source: http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/article-template-standard.page?doc=remembering-the-crash-of-boxtop-flight-22/ig9v1k0t

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

On short final to Fort Wainwright AFB, the airplane lost height, struck approach equipments then a embankment and eventually crashed about 600 feet short of runway threshold. Both pilots and seven passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was engaged in a combined exercice called 'Brim Frost'. At the time of the accident, the OAT was -46° C.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The crew was engaged in a SAR mission after a small plane disappeared. While flying in relative good weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Kananaskis Park, about 75 km west of Calgary. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed, three crew members and five observers. Crew: Cpt Ted Katz, pilot Cpt Wayne Plumbtree, copilot, Brian Burkett, flight engineer.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The CC-130H registered 130330 was engaged in a local demonstration flight under callsign Trucker 1, taking part to the celebration of the RCAF 60th anniversary. While approaching the airbase, it collided with a second RCAF CC-130H registered 130331 (callsign Trucker 2). Both airplanes crashed and were destroyed. All 10 occupants in both aircraft were killed, four crew members in each aircraft plus two observers on board 130330.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The CC-130H registered 130331 was engaged in a local demonstration flight under callsign Trucker 2, taking part to the celebration of the RCAF 60th anniversary. While approaching the airbase, it collided with a second RCAF CC-130H registered 130330 (callsign Trucker 1). Both airplanes crashed and were destroyed. All 10 occupants in both aircraft were killed, four crew members in each aircraft plus two observers on board 130330.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

On final approach to runway 29, the crew attempted to drop the load that jammed on the rear ramp. The aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to hit the ground. The aircraft went out of control and crashed. All seven crew members (six Canadians and one American) were killed.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

The crew departed Montreal-Saint-Hubert Airport on a training mission. While cruising at low altitude, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found near Lac des Chats. All three occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

En route from Newburgh-Stewart to Ottawa, the single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances on Slide Mountain, State of New York. The wreckage was found two days later and all four occupants were killed. The crew was returning to Ottawa following an exchange course at Norfolk NAS, Virginia. Occupants: Maj Eugene Ross, Cpt Gilles Dessureault, Cpt Jean Petit, Lt Col D. R. Lawrence.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The crew was dispatched out from Trenton on a SAR operation for a missing helicopter. While flying at low height, the four engine airplane crashed in a wooded area located about 13 km west of Chapais. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. Crew: Cpt Dave Salmons, pilot, † Cpt Ron Kavanagh, † M/Cpl Allan Woodham, † Sgt J. R. O'Neill, † Cpl R. W. Fisher, † Cpl R. J. Cocks, † Cpl R. J. Taylor, † Pvt W. D. Minnis, † Cpt Dahl Manthorpe, Mst W/O Bing Crosby.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

En route from North Bay to Winnipeg, the aircraft was ditched into Whitewater Lake, about 11 km northwest of Sudbury. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Canadair CL-28 Argus

The crew was completing a training mission out of Summerside Airport. Upon landing, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a parked Nordair Lockheed L-188 Electra registered CF-NAZ. Both aircraft were destroyed and three crew members were killed. The Electra was empty at the time of the accident. It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of landing gear problems.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Bayswater while completing a local training mission out from Shearwater AFB. Both occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

During take-off from a gravel bar along the edge of the Duke of York River, the Otter became airborne but did not gain altitude. Shortly thereafter, it contacted a steep gravel river bank, made a shallow turn to the right, settled into the river and slowly nosed over, coming to rest inverted in three or four feet of water. Water began to pour in on the two crew and five passengers, who were hanging upside down still strapped into their seats. They managed to free themselves and wade ashore. Source: https://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_389.html

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

The airplane was engaged in a special flight from Beirut to Damascus, carrying UNO personnel and various logistical equipment. While descending to Damascus Airport, the airplane was mistakenly shot down by three Syrian surface-to-air missiles and crashed near Al-Dimass. All nine occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, Syria was engaged in military combat with Israel fighters at the border with Lebanon.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Crashed in unknown circumstances southeast of Baudette. Occupant's fate unknown.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

The crew departed Comox on a SAR mission after a Stinson 108 was missing. At 1800LT, the crew informed ground he was returning to his base when the contact was interrupted few minutes later. The wreckage was found on Vancouver Island. Two crew members were rescued while two others were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft was engaged in a SAR mission in the region of Palautuk. While flying by night at a relative low height, the pilot-in-command completed a turn when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed, killing all eight occupants. Crew: Cpt C. A. Healy, Cpt S. R. Gitzel, Cpt P. C. Hodges, Cpt L. A. Cooper, Lt D. W. Smart, Cpl W. E. Platt, Sgt J. R. Lemieux, Cpl R. N. Vodden.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Crashed for unknown reason shortly after takeoff from Gagetown Helipad. A passenger, Lt Ronald Edward Ehrne was killed while five other occupants were injured.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Sheet Harbour while on a maritime patrol flight out from Shearwater AFB. All four crew members were killed.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

The aircraft was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Sargasso Sea and the crew was trying to get back to the HMCS Bonaventure when the crew encountered technical problems. By night, the captain elected to ditch the aircraft near the ship and all four crew members were quickly rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Grumman S-2 Tracker

Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from HMCS Bonaventure. All three crew members were killed.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Crashed in unknown circumstances into Memphrémagog Lake. There were no casualties.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Trenton Airport. Shortly after a night takeoff, while climbing, the four engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located 2,5 km from the airport. All six crew members were killed.

Beechcraft D18

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. No casualties.

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

The crew departed Comox Airbase on a training flight to Williams Lake. While cruising in limited visibility due to foggy conditions, the seaplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 10 miles east of Hope Slide. The aircraft was destroyed and while the f/o Bob Reid survived, all five other occupants were killed. More info on https://www.notaries.bc.ca/resources/scrivener/fall2004/walkdownthemountains-50.pdf 1st Lt Pete Semak, † 1st Lt Phil Montgomery, † F/O Chris Cormier, † F/O Bob Reid, Lac Bob MacNaughton. † Passenger: James Braiden. †

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

On a flight from Rivers AFB, Manitoba, to North Battleford, a technical failure occurred on the front cargo door that detached in flight. The crew decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually completed a belly landing in a field located near North Battleford, slid for several yards and came to rest. There were no injuries among the crew while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. After the accident, the engine number one could not be stopped, probably after being hit by debris.

Beechcraft D18

Crashed in flames in Portage la Prairie. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Canadair CL-28 Argus

The airplane departed Roosevelt Roads NAS (Ceiba) for a night training mission with 14 crew members from the 404th Squadron and 2 scientists on board. While cruising overt the Atlantic, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean some 96 km north of Porto Rico. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 16 occupants was found.

Bristol 170 Freighter

While on approach to Marville AFB, the airplane crashed in the Montmédy forest, few km north of the runway 12 threshold. Eight occupants were killed while three others were seriously injured.

Canadair C-4 North Star

Shortly after takeoff from Hall Beach Airport in Sanirajak, the hydraulic pressure failed on engine number four. The captain elected to return to Hall Beach when the oil pressure failed as well on engines number two and three. The crew realized that it would be impossible to reach the airport so the captain decided to make an emergency landing north of the airfield. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest in a snow covered terrain located few km from runway 36 threshold. While all 21 occupants were unhurt, among them Governor General of Canada Raymond Massey, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The airplane was involved in a special mission over the North Pole.

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

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.

Canadair C-4 North Star

After touchdown at Ellinikon Airport in Athens, a tire burst. The airplane skidded on runway for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All 26 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

En route to Pisa-San Giusto Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with rain falls and the visibility was limited. By night, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Apennins Mountain Range, near Pistoia. All five crew members were killed.

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

The crew was returning to Canada, carrying the remains of a RCAF DHC-3 Otter (c/n 185) that crashed in Gaza on 19SEP1958. While overflying the Apennins mountain range, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and icing conditions. In such circumstances, the airplane lost altitude and eventually, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in a rough terrain. All seven crew members were evacuated while both aircraft were destroyed.

Beechcraft C18S

The crew was completing a VFR flight from Camp Borden to Trenton when the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were killed. Crew: S/L Eric Robert McDowall, F/Lt Edward Arthur Elson.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Suffered an accident at Goose Bay Airport. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

The crew (two pilots and one mechanic) was engaged in a post-maintenance check flight. Two minutes after takeoff from Goose Bay Airport, while climbing, the crew raised the flaps when the aircraft stalled. Simultaneously, the left wing broke out at its root. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed, killing all three occupants. It was reported that ground maintenance was provided on the left port inner trailing edge flap.

Bristol 170 Freighter

The aircraft left Grostenquin Airbase at 1100LT bound for London with an intermediate stop at Marville AFB. During a GCA approach to runway 12, the crew encountered foggy conditions and the airplane hit trees and crashed in the Montmédy forest located less than five km north of the airfield. Seven passengers were killed while seven other occupants were killed.

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

The crew was performing a flight from Vancouver (Sea Island) to Holberg with intermediate stops at Comox and Tofino. On this trip, however, he did not stop at Comox. While flying along the Vancouver Island, an engine failed. The pilot-in-command attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the Johnstone Strait. Three crew members were killed while all others occupants were rescued. Those killed were: F/O P. C. Walker, navigator, F/O D. K. McPherson, radio operator, Ac1 N. C. Thompson.

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Vancouver Airport. There were no casualties.

Canadair C-4 North Star

On final approach to RAF North Luffenham, the four engine aircraft was too low and hit an embankment located about 75 feet short of runway threshold. On impact, the main landing gear were pushed up and punctured the fuel tank. Upon landing, the airplane sank on its belly and came to rest few dozen yards farther. There were no injuries but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Suffered an accident at Churchill Airport. There were no injuries but the aircraft was not repaired.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

En route, an unexpected situation forced the crew to ditch the aircraft off Finale Ligure. All five occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Canadair C-4 North Star

The four engine aircraft was performing a flight from Vancouver to Montreal with an intermediate stop in Edmonton on behalf of the 426th Transport Squadron. On the leg from Vancouver to Edmonton, the crew encountered icing conditions when an engine failed. The captain decided to return to Vancouver for a safe landing when on approach, he encountered poor weather with rains falls and icing conditions. On final, the aircraft banked left and right, causing the right wing to hit the runway surface. On impact, the right wing was sheared off and the aircraft went out of control and came upside down. It then slid for dozen yards before coming to rest at the edge of a ditch. All 51 occupants were miraculously evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

Canadair C-4 North Star

The crew was performing a flight from Canada to South Korea with an intermediate stop in Shemya, Aleutian Islands, taking part to the Korean airlift. After touchdown at Shemya Airport, the four engine aircraft went out of control and veered off runway before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Noorduyn Norseman

Suffered a category A accident at Whitehorse. There were no casualties. Struck off register on 24SEP1953 and used for spares.

Avro 683 Lancaster

On a flight from Vancouver to San Diego, the four engine aircraft crashed on the Iron Mountain located in the Syskiyou Mountain Range, southern Oregon. All ten crew members were killed. Crew: F/O Joseph Yvon Aurele Elias Bourgeois, F/O John William Brownie, F/O Robert James Calder, F/O David Fair Lancaster Ellis, F/O Kenneth Edgar Elsden, LAC John Haraldson, F/O Harry Charles Maddick, Cpl Donald Gordon Lancaster Spence, F/O Cyril Jerome Lancaster Williams, LAC William Henry Waldron.

Avro 683 Lancaster

Crashed in unknown circumstances while returning to Greenwood Airbase following a reconnaissance mission. Six of the seven crew members were killed. Crew: F/O Eric Travers Lewis, † F/O Douglas Alan Hamilton, † F/O John Dane Curzon, † Sgt Neil McCarrol, † LAC William Douglas Fifield, † AC1 George Patrick Sylvester Shoul, † F/O K. Benson.