C-GPAA

On July 15, 1979 at 06:00 AM, C-GPAA experienced a crash involving Avro 748, operated by Austin Airways, with the event recorded near Moosonee Ontario.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was parking at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft was loaded with two rubber cargo bladders, filled with 1600 Imp gallons of aviation gasoline. The aircraft was parked overnight, until at 05:40 the 2 crew members arrived to perform the pre-departure checks. A smell of Avgas fumes was detectable, but not stronger than on similar trips. The engines were started, and when the no. 1 engine reached idle rpm, the crew proceeded with after-start checks. When both alternators and the left generator were turned on, a violent explosion occurred in the cabin. The nose gear collapsed and the rear airstair was blown off. Both pilots managed to escape before a fierce fire consumed the aircraft.

Aircraft reference details include registration C-GPAA, MSN 1675, year of manufacture 1970.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.2823°, -80.6279°.