Patricia Bay

The Sound Flight DHC-2 float-equipped Beaver aircraft, N340KA, flew from Patricia Bay to Dodger Channel where the pilot planned to land. He set up an approach to land to the south in Dodger Channel, into the wind. On short final, the pilot noticed a shoal so he decided to overshoot, make a circuit, and land beyond the shoal. He applied power, established a climb and began a left turn. As the aircraft turned, it came into the lee of Diana Island. The aircraft encountered subsiding air and began to descend. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent. The aircraft struck the water and sank. All six occupants escaped without any injury but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft was carrying a passenger and a pilot on behalf of the British Columbia Department of Public Works who should make a view of a bridge located at Sooke before returning to Patricia Bay. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft climbed steeply to about 50 feet slowly veering and rolling to the left in a nose high attitude until it stalled and crashed in flames in a field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed. It is believed the pilot was inexperienced.

Few minutes after takeoff from Tofino Airport, while flying at an altitude of 2,800 feet in low visibility due to clouds, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 7 miles east southeast of Bamfield, in the Somerset Range. The wreckage was found for days later (July 17) in an isolated area and all 14 occupants were killed.
Crew (11th Squadron):
F/O W. E. Davies, pilot,
F/O R. J. Martello,
F/O N. M. Popovich,
F/O H. A. Lowe,
W/O V. C. Crosson,
W/O J. B. Presse,
F/Sgt D. W. Hope.
Passengers:
Sgt Bennett,
Cpl N. W. Johnson,
Cpl W. Hrysko,
Cpl N. Johnston,
LAC R. B. Kitely,
LAC L. H. Tull,
LAW M. Mann.

The crew was completing a training sortie from Patricia Bay on behalf of the 32nd OTU. En route, the right engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft about 250 km southwest of Vancouver (48°10'00.0"N 126°09'00.0"W). All three crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

The crew departed Patricia Bay at 0930LT to take part to a SAR operation after another Anson registered N9560 was missing since the previous day. In unknown circumstances, it crashed into the sea off Saltspring Island. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Norman A. Bastick, pilot,
Sgt Kenneth J. Bowler, navigator,
Sgt Robert A. Maun, navigator,
Sgt Alphonse M. Bellotte, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Sidney J. Conlon, wireless operator and air gunner.

The twin engine airplane departed Patricia Bay AFB at 0932LT on a navigation training exercise. While cruising west of Nanaimo, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Flying too low in limited visibility, the airplane collided with trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located west of Nanoose Bay. As the airplane failed to return to base, SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage was found on 30 March 1943 only. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O David Jack Robertson, pilot,
P/O William Ward Harris, navigator,
P/O Percival Frederick Biggs, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Andrew Joseph Doherty, wireless operator and air gunner,
P/O James Roderick Vosburgh, wireless operator and air gunner.

The twin engine airplane departed Patricia Bay Airport in the early morning to perform a navigation exercise over the Vancouver Island. The calculated route was Patricia Bay - Port San Juan - Cape Beale - Pachena Point and return. En route, the crew encountered poor visibility and the airplane failed to return to base. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended on November 3 as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On 25 October 2013, almost 71 years later, hikers found the wreckage in a hilly and wooded area located near Mesachie Lake.
Crew (32nd OTU):
Sgt Robert Ernest Luckock, pilot,
Sgt William Baird, wireless operator,
P/O Charles George Fox, navigator,
P/O Anthony William Lawrence, navigator.

The crew departed Patricia Bay on a w/t training exercise. En route, the pilot got lost due to foggy conditions. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane collided with trees and crashed near the Vancouver University. The airplane was destroyed and both crew members escaped unhurt.
Crew:
Sgt R. L. Lewis, pilot,
P/O G. Nathan, wireless operator and air gunner.

The crew departed Patricia Bay on a w/t training exercise. While cruising off Nelson Island, the port engine failed. The pilot ditched the airplane in the Agamemnon Channel. All five crew members were rescued.
Crew:
Sgt D. P. R. Sherwood, pilot,
P/O W. G. Lake, observer,
Sgt D. F. Stewart, wireless operator,
Sgt B. J. Tucker, wireless operator.
Passenger:
Cpt K. S. MacPherson.

The crew departed Patricia Bay Airport on a local training exercise. This was the first solo flight for the crew. After approaching for a landing, the pilot proceeded to make another circuit. The airplane appeared to climb slowly and when in the vicinity of Shoal Harbor was seen to assume a steep dive from which it never recovered. The airplane crashed into the sea off Patricia Bay Airport. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt William Miller Hatfield, pilot,
P/O Bruce Hutchinson, wireless operator and air gunner.