Date & Time:
Sep 18, 1979 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
C-FZVV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nanaimo - Comox - Port Hardy
MSN:
238
YOM:
1971
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
3
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total hours on type:
100
Aircraft flight hours:
4650
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Nanaimo on a flight to Port Hardy with an intermediate stop in Comox. On board were eight passengers and one pilot. Takeoff from Comox was delayed for 45 minutes due to poor weather conditions at destination. Flight 850 departed Comox in good VFR weather conditions but approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot encountered fog conditions. At this point, the passengers expected the pilot to turn back, instead he continued. While cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the airplane contacted trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located on a 5,000 feet mountain, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally destroyed by fire. Five passengers were seriously injured while the pilot and three other passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and ground. Controlled flight into terrain.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions.
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation (vertigo).
- Poor weather conditions with fog.
- Terrain conditions with high obstructions.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions.
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation (vertigo).
- Poor weather conditions with fog.
- Terrain conditions with high obstructions.
Final Report:
C-FZVV.pdf291.54 KB
