Vancouver - Campbell River

On September 17, 1969 at 05:09 PM, Vancouver - Campbell River experienced a crash involving Convair CV-640, operated by Pacific Western Airlines - PWA, with the event recorded near Campbell River 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.

15 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 11 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 26.7%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The Convair approached Campbell River with the weather just above minima (2-2,5 miles visibility, 400 feet broken ceiling and wind 110 degrees with gusts to 20 mph. The crew positioned the aircraft visually 2nm south of the airfield on a westerly heading preparatory to attempting an approach to the west. This would involve a right hand circuit flown above the broken south and west of the airport employing DME and ADF information. This improvised approach was not in accordance with published approach procedures under instrument conditions. After flying for 1 minute and 40 seconds the crew turned right. A few seconds after the captain expressed concern, the Convair struck a 1047 feet hill at 932 feet.

Aircraft reference details include registration CF-PWR, MSN 440, year of manufacture 1965.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 49.9531°, -125.2708°.