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Crash of a BAe Nimrod MR.2P off Toronto: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XV239
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto - Toronto
MSN:
8014
YOM:
1969
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The Nimrod display aircraft and crew had deployed to Canada on 23 August 1995 for displays at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater and the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) at Toronto. In excellent weather, with a light on-shore wind, the aircraft took off on time for its display. Upon completion of the safety checks, it ran in for the standard Nimrod display sequence which features two orbits and two dumb-bell turns. The latter manoeuvres each involved a turn away from the display line, a climb to not above 1,000 feet, followed by a turn in the opposite direction and descent, to fly back parallel with the display line. Having completed the two orbits, the first dumb-bell turn was completed uneventfully. After a slow flypast with undercarriage down, the aircraft entered its final manoeuvre, the second dumb-bell turn. It was seen to turn away approximately 75° to starboard under full power before the flaps were retracted to 20° and the undercarriage raised. The nose was then pitched up into a climbing attitude of 24°. As the aircraft passed 950 feet, engine power was reduced to almost flight idle, following which the speed reduced rapidly to 122 knots, below the 150 knots recommended and taught for that stage of the display. The aircraft was rolled to 70° of port bank, shortly afterwards reducing to 45°, and the nose lowered to 5° below the horizon. During this turn the airspeed increased slightly and the G-loading increased to 1 .6 G. However, the combination of the low airspeed and the G-loading led the aircraft to stall, whereupon the port wing dropped to 85° of bank and the nose dropped to 18° below the horizon. Full starboard aileron and full engine power were applied in an attempt to recover the aircraft but, by this stage, there was insufficient height to recover and the aircraft hit the water. All seven crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The Inquiry determined that the captain made an error of judgement in modifying one of the display manoeuvres to the extent that he stalled the aircraft at a height and attitude from which recovery was impossible. The Inquiry considered that contributory factors could have included deficiencies in the flight deck crew's training and in the method of supervision which could have allowed the captain to develop an unsafe technique without full appreciation of the consequences.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226AC Metro II off Hamilton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1988 at 0332 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GJDX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto - Hamilton
MSN:
TC-211EE
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport on a short night cargo flight to Hamilton. While descending in good weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake Ontario, few km off Hamilton. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Orillia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1984 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GXFZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto – Muskoka
MSN:
500-0032
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
DB511
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
10996
Circumstances:
The crew departed Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport at 1107LT on a training flight to Muskoka Airport. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 9,500 feet, the crew was cleared to make a low pass over Orillia Airport. Following a passage at an altitude of about 150-200 feet and a speed of 200 knots, the crew initiated a climb when, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the aircraft banked right then got inverted and crashed in a near vertical attitude. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 731 in White Plains: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1981 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N520S
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto - White Plains
MSN:
5084
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
24000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8947
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1374
Aircraft flight hours:
7413
Aircraft flight cycles:
5308
Circumstances:
About 1840 e.s.t., on February 11, 1981, a Lockheed JetStar L-1329-731, N520S, crashed during an instrument landing system approach to runway 16 at the Westchester County Airport, White Plains, New York. The area weather was dominated by low obscured ceilings, rain, fog, and reduced visibility. Winds were strong and gusty with moderate to severe turbulence in the lower levels. Following a recent modification of the generator control. circuitry, the aircraft's electrical system had experienced several multiple generator failures.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident was a distraction to the pilot at a critical time as a the result of a major electrical system malfunction which, in combination with the adverse weather environment, caused an undetected deviation of the aircraft's flightpath into the terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-123B in Hewanorra

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GQBH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Toronto - Hewanorra
MSN:
17650/67
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
QB714
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
162
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Hewanorra Airport on a charter flight from Toronto, the crew encountered windshear conditions. The airplane remained stable and while passing over the runway threshold, the copilot retarded the throttles when, at a height of six meters, the airplane stalled and struck the runway surface. The nose gear was torn off and the airplane slid for about 700 meters before coming to rest. All 171 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following windshear conditions on final approach.

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Endicott

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1973 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N424RF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Endicott - Toronto
MSN:
411-0058
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4828
Captain / Total hours on type:
268.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from a snow covered runway, the airplane became unstable and directional control was lost. The pilot reduced the power on the right engine to compensate but this was insufficient. The airplane overran and came to rest in a snow covered area. All four passengers were injured and the pilot was seriously wounded. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during takeoff after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following factors were reported:
- Snow on runway,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Snow,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Overload failure,
- Reduced power on right engine to correct skid,
- Unable to obtain takeoff speed and overran runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-321C in Edmonton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1973 at 0034 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-PWZ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto – Edmonton – Vancouver – Seoul
MSN:
18826
YOM:
1964
Flight number:
PW3801
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
33059
Aircraft flight cycles:
9458
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a cargo flight from Toronto to Seoul with intermediate stops in Edmonton and Vancouver, carrying two passengers, three crew members and a load of 86 Holsteins cows. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared for an ILS approach to runway 29. At this time, weather conditions were considered as poor with limited visibility due to the night, snow falls and turbulences as a cold front was approaching the area. The copilot was in command and due to various factors, he failed to realize that the sink rate was too high on short final when the captain decided to regain control. Then the airplane struck poplar trees located 3,137 meters short of runway and electric cables, stalled and crashed in flames in a gravel pit located less than three km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants and 86 cows were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew was tired at the time of the accident and that the captain was on duty since 29 hours without sufficient rest time. Approach procedures negligences and poor crew coordination affected flight conditions. Difficult weather conditions with low clouds, snow falls and turbulences contributed to the difficulty of the flight conditions, as well as the fact that the copilot was inexperienced. It was reported he was recently promoted on B707 and this was his first approach following a six-week holiday period. Finally, the crew encountered technical issues with the generators on engines n°1 and 4 on final approach.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63 in Toronto: 109 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1970 at 0809 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-TIW
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Montreal - Toronto - Los Angeles
MSN:
46114/526
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
AC621
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
100
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
109
Captain / Total flying hours:
20990
Captain / Total hours on type:
2899.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9323
Copilot / Total hours on type:
5626
Aircraft flight hours:
453
Circumstances:
Flight number 621 of Air Canada DC-8-63 CF-TIW with 100 passengers, six cabin air crew and three flight crew aboard on July 5, 1970 from departure at Montreal International Airport until its final crash at Toronto International Airport lasted slightly more than 52 minutes. This aircraft took off at Montreal at 07 hours and 17 minutes EDT, initially touched down on runway 32 at Toronto International Airport at 08 hours 06 minutes and 36 seconds EDT and finally crashed at 08 hours 09 minutes 34 seconds EDT. The flight from Montreal to Toronto was routine. The flight during this interval was also routine. The "In-Range Check" was made when the aircraft was about 10 miles from Toronto International Airport on a southerly heading. The "Before-Landing Check" was made when the aircraft was about 8 miles from this Airport, and just commencing its turn onto final approach. On this Before-Landing cockpit check, which includes the lowering of the undercarriage, the item "spoilers armed" was intentionally omitted. During this period there occurred a conversation between the Captain and the First Officer as to whether the ground spoilers would be armed 'on the flare' or 'on the ground' and an agreement between them as to this was reached. The agreement was that the First Officer would arm them 'on the flare', that is, immediately before the aircraft touched down on the runway. Power was reduced then on the aircraft for the purpose of the flare and the Captain gave the order to the First Officer by saying 'OK'; and immediately thereafter the ground spoilers were deployed. The spoilers were deployed when the aircraft was about 60 feet above the runway. As a result, the aircraft sank rapidly. Practically immediately thereafter the Captain, with an exclamation, applied full throttle to all four engines and pulled back the control panel causing the nose of the aircraft to rotate upwards. During this sequence the First Officer apologized to the Captain for what he had done. Notwithstanding the action taken by the Captain, he did not succeed in preventing the aircraft from touching down on the runway. Instead, the aircraft struck the runway very heavily. It remained on the runway only about half a second and then rose back into the air at which time the ground spoilers commenced to retract and then did retract. When the aircraft struck the runway, number 4 engine and pylon separated from the aircraft and fell on the runway along with a piece of the lower wing plating (which allowed fuel to escape and subsequently ignite). Damage was also done at this time to the attachments relating to number 3 engine, but that engine after touchdown continued to function. After this touchdown, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 3,100 feet above the ground. During this climb, there were conversations between the First Officer and the aircraft airport control tower from which it is patent, that the air crew considered that they would be able to cause their aircraft to circle for another landing attempt on runway 32. In fact, the air crew did not know, until only about 40 seconds prior to the final crash, that the happening of such final crash was irreversible. During this climb, fire and smoke were seen trailing behind the aircraft intermittently. About 2 and one half minutes after the initial touch down of this aircraft on the runway, the first explosion occurred in the right wing outboard of number 4 engine location causing parts of the outer wing structure to fall free to the ground. Six seconds later, a second explosion occurred in the vicinity of number 3 engine and the engine with its pylon ripped free of the wing and fell to the ground in flames, trailing heavy black smoke. Six and one half seconds later, a third explosion occurred which caused the loss of a large section of the right wing, including the wing tip. The aircraft then went into a violent manoeuvre, and with the right wing still ablaze, lost height rapidly and at the same time more wing plating tore free following which the aircraft struck the ground at a high velocity, about 220 knots in the attitude with the left wing high and the nose low. At final crash, all persons aboard this aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
Within the meaning of the word "circumstances" ("of any accident") in section 5A of the Aeronautics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada 1952, chapter 2 as amended, there were several contributing circumstances to this accident. Without attempting to weight each or to list them in order of priority, they are set out hereunder:
- The failure of the Captain to follow the procedures laid down in the 'Before-Landing Check' in the Air Canada operating manual, in respect to arming the ground spoilers in this aircraft on this day,
- The action taken by the First Officer, contrary to the order of the Captain on this day, in pulling the ground spoiler actuating lever aft manually to the "Extend", position when the aircraft was about 60 feet above runway 32 at Toronto International Airport,
- The failure of the manufacturer of this aircraft to provide a gate or equivalent means to guard against such inappropriate manual operation of the ground spoiler lever in flight,
- The acceptance and approval by the Ministry of Transport, of the design of the ground spoiler system in this aircraft,
- The acceptance and use by Air Canada of this aircraft with this defective design feature in its ground spoiler system,
- The failure of the manufacturer and Air Canada in their respective manuals unequivocally to inform that the ground spoilers of this aircraft could be deployed when it was in flight by doing what the First Officer did in this case; and, also, to warn of the hazard of extending the ground spoilers when the aircraft is in flight and especially when it is close to the ground,
- The failure of Air Canada to cause its Ground Training School personnel to instruct student pilots that the ground spoilers of this aircraft could be deployed in the way the First Officer did in this case or to warn that the ground spoilers could be deployed when this type of aircraft is in flight and especially when it is close to the ground,
- The failure of the Ministry of Transport to detect the deficiencies and misinformation in the manufacturer's aircraft flight manual as to the operation of the ground spoiler systems on this type of aircraft; and the failure to require the manufacturer in such manual to warn of the danger of inappropriate deployment of the ground spoilers on this type of aircraft when in flight and especially when it is close to the ground,
- The failure of the Ministry of Transport:
1) to have noted the differences in the manuals of Air Canada and other Canadian aircraft operators in relation to the hazards of operating this ground spoiler in this aircraft,
2) to have alerted Air Canada of this, and
3) to have taken appropriate remedial action so that Air Canada's manual in respect thereto was not deficient in respect thereto,
- Under the subject overload conditions, the failure of the manufacturer to design attachments of the engine pod to wing structure to provide for safe sequential separation, or failing which to otherwise ensure the integrity of the fuel and the electrical systems.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049E Super Constellation in Brampton

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1954 at 2132 LT
Operator:
Registration:
CF-TGG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tampa-Toronto
MSN:
4564
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
TCA407
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
763
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tampa, the captain started a night approach to Toronto-Malton Airport. During an ILS approach in poor weather conditions (300 feet ceiling), the four engine aircraft descended below the glide and hit the ground about 11 miles short of runway 10. It slid for 2,000 feet before coming to rest in flames. All 23 occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The Board of Inquiry found that the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the captain. The following findings were reported:
- The first officer, despite his duties which involved "In-Range" and "Pre-Landing" checks during the approach pattern, displayed an alertness concerning the procedures carried out by the captain, and on three separate occasions indicated to the captain conditions which required correction,
- The captain of the aircraft showed poor airmanship in the execution of his approach pattern, in that he made inadequate allowance for the strong prevailing wind and failed to utilize the ADF receiver to home on the outer marker,
- The captain failed to carry out an approved ILS let-down and, in so far as the position and the altitude of the aircraft were concerned, he ignored the indications of the ADF needle tuned to the marker, the ILS glide path needle and the altimeter,
- The captain ignored the warning from his first officer that he had descended below the regulation height,
- The captain was under the impression that he was very much closer to the airport than he actually was,
- The captain broke the regulations regarding the minimum altitude at which the glide path is to be intersected, the minimum altitude at which the outer marker is to be crossed, and the minimum altitude to which the aircraft may descend on the approach at Malton without becoming contact, and continued his descent until he flew into the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Ghost River Post

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1949
Registration:
CF-DIV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Toronto - Ghost River Post
MSN:
FM.23
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On landing at Ghost River Post (Albany River), the single engine aircraft hit a rock and sank. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was lost.