Sondreströmfjord - Nuuk
Flight / Schedule
Sondreströmfjord - Nuuk
Registration
CF-IHA
MSN
CV-365
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Eastern Provincial Airways - EPADate
May 12, 1962 at 10:55 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Nuuk (Godthåb) Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq
Region
Europe • Greenland
Coordinates
64.1910°, -51.6965°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On May 12, 1962 at 10:55 AM, Sondreströmfjord - Nuuk experienced a crash involving Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso), operated by Eastern Provincial Airways - EPA, with the event recorded near Nuuk (Godthåb) Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
21 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 71.4%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 18, passenger fatalities: 15, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Following an uneventful flight from Sondreströmfjord, the crew started the descent to Nuuk and the landing was made on a water area that had not been patrolled. This was contrary to current safety rules. Both pilots considered the touchdown was normal. However, after a run of a few seconds the aircraft swerved abruptly to starboard assuming an increasingly nose-down attitude. A steadily progressing but very quick deceleration took place. The seaplane plunged into water and came to rest, partially submerged. While all three crew members and three passengers were rescued, 15 passengers were drowned.
Aircraft reference details include registration CF-IHA, MSN CV-365, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 64.1910°, -51.6965°.
Fatalities
Total
15
Crew
0
Passengers
15
Other
0
Crash Summary
Following an uneventful flight from Sondreströmfjord, the crew started the descent to Nuuk and the landing was made on a water area that had not been patrolled. This was contrary to current safety rules. Both pilots considered the touchdown was normal. However, after a run of a few seconds the aircraft swerved abruptly to starboard assuming an increasingly nose-down attitude. A steadily progressing but very quick deceleration took place. The seaplane plunged into water and came to rest, partially submerged. While all three crew members and three passengers were rescued, 15 passengers were drowned.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
18
Estimated Survivors
6
Fatality Rate
71.4%
Known people on board: 21
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Sondreströmfjord - Nuuk
Operator
Eastern Provincial Airways - EPAFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Europe • Greenland
Aircraft Details
Registration
CF-IHA
MSN
CV-365
Year of Manufacture
1944
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