Noorduyn Norseman

Renfro's Alaskan Adventures

The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 passenger flight. The pilot said during cruise flight he heard a loud bang, and the engine started running rough. He said he diverted to the nearest airport, but the engine quit completely, and he was unable to reach the runway. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. An examination of the engine revealed that a locking screw had backed out of one of the anti-vibration counterweights on the crankshaft, scoring the interior back surface of the engine case. The unsecured counterweight then moved from its position in the crankshaft, and was likely struck by the engine's master rod, which shattered the weight, and liberated it from its normal location. The liberated counterweight was struck by internal moving parts, creating several component failures, and ultimately an engine seizure.

Green Airways

Upon landing on Birch Lake, the second compartment of the right float ruptured. The aircraft nosed down and sank. All five occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and to swim to the shore. The aircraft was written off.

Cargair

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Quebec. There were no casualties.

Diamond Aviation

Upon landing at Bronson Creek, the single engine airplane lost a wheel. It veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cargair

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Murray Lake. There were no casualties.

La Tuque Air Service

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. The pilot and a passenger were injured while three other passengers were killed.

Fly-In Service

The single engine aircraft overturned in water during a forced landing at Dogskin Lake, Manitoba. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

St Andrews Airways

The single engine aircraft was being flown on a ferry permit to Selkirk, Manitoba for CofA renewal. The engine failed shortly after takeoff near Libau and the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a fallow field. Floats struck an elevated road on approach and the float brackets failed. The aircraft came to rest on it’s right wing and left float. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Private American

Crashed in unknown circumstances while taking off from Prince George, BC. There were no casualties.

Private Canadian

After takeoff from Witchai Lake, the pilot initiated a turn to the left when the single engine airplane stalled, struck the water surface and crashed into the lake. The pilot was rescued while the passenger drowned.