Port Hardy – Comox

On January 29, 1960 at 05:58 PM, Port Hardy – Comox experienced a crash involving Curtiss C-46 Commando, operated by Pacific Western Airlines - PWA, with the event recorded near Port Hardy British Columbia.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

51 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 51 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 48, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration CF-PWD, MSN 2940, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 50.7210°, -127.4907°.