Victoria - Vancouver

On September 3, 1978 at 05:42 PM, Victoria - Vancouver experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Airwest Airlines, with the event recorded near Vancouver British Columbia.

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.

13 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 84.6%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 9, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Twin Otter C-FAIV, operating as a scheduled VFR flight, departed Victoria Harbour at 1718LT with Vancouver Harbour water-aerodrome as destination. The estimated time en route was 20 minutes. The flight proceeded normally and reported by Active Pass at 2,000 feet. This altitude was maintained in order to cross the Vancouver Control Zone in accordance with standard procedure; once out of the control zone, a slow descent was begun towards Vancouver Harbour. Normal radio procedures were followed as the flight reported by standard visual reporting points. Just before joining final approach, the transmission, "AIV, Third Beach", was made and landing clearance was given to the flight by the Harbour Tower. The approach continued, and when the aircraft reached approximately 175 feet above the surface, nine ground witnesses heard a loud noise from the aircraft. Two surviving witnesses also heard a noise. Power was subsequently applied and C-FAIV yawed left, rolled in the same direction and plunged into the harbour in a left-wing and nose-down attitude, 2 500 feet from the intended landing area. An ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) tone was heard by the tower controller 54 seconds after the radio call at Third Beach. The controller called the aircraft several times but there was no response. The flight had been of 24 minutes duration. Both pilots and nine passengers were killed while two others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration C-FAIV, MSN 215, year of manufacture 1969.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 49.2609°, -123.1140°.