Nova Scotia

Crashed in unknown circumstances while returning to Greenwood Airbase following a reconnaissance mission. Six of the seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Eric Travers Lewis, †
F/O Douglas Alan Hamilton, †
F/O John Dane Curzon, †
Sgt Neil McCarrol, †
LAC William Douglas Fifield, †
AC1 George Patrick Sylvester Shoul, †
F/O K. Benson.

Weather conditions deteriorated in flight and the crew lost his orientation. Due to fuel exhaustion, all 18 occupants decided to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a remote area. All 18 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

While approaching Gander in poor weather conditions, ATC instructed the crew to divert to Sydney, Nova Scotia. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and hit three approach lights. Immediately, the pilot in command increased power but as both left engines were damaged by obstacle impact, they failed to respond properly. As a result, the left wing stalled and the aircraft crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway. All 31 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and the crew extinguished the fire. Unfortunately, thirty minutes later, another fire erupted on the left side of the aircraft, partially destroying the airplane. Carrying 2,5 tons of cargo, the aircraft christened 'Zürich' was performing a regular schedule flight from Zurich to New York via Geneva, Shannon and Gander.

On final approach to Sydney, the aircraft was too low and hit an earth mound short of the runway threshold. On impact, an undercarriage punctured a fuel tank and a fire erupted. The aircraft landed safely but came to rest in flames and was damaged beyond repair. All 17 occupants were unhurt.

En route, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the region of Sydney. All three crew members were killed.

The crew was briefing at 0500 hrs, started engines at 0540 and started the takeoff run at 0552. The aircraft take off weight was 33,426 lbs which was near the maximum allowable takeoff weight of 34,500. The aircraft became airborne after an abnormally long run and circled the area while climbing to 700’. As the direct route to the patrol area, Seaforth Channel, was closed by weather PO Joseph headed south via the west side of Lama Passage. The ceiling lowered so he descended to stay under the cloud. Suddenly the fog closed in and Joseph turned the aircraft to the left attempting to return to Base on a reciprocal course. His airspeed was 120 knots but altitude could not be maintained in the 35 degree turn like he used to do in a Stranraer. The aircraft was leveled off after turning through 120 degrees as they were getting close to the water. The aircraft was put into a steep climbing position at full power. They had started climbing in the patchy fog when the pilot saw a wooded ridge. They increased the rate of climb and the speed dropped to 70 knots and was down to 50 knots by the time they mushed into the 700’ mark on an 800’ ridge. On impact the a/c caught fire. They had been airborne a total of five minutes.
Crew:
P/O J. A. Joseph, pilot,
F/Sgt K. L. Brown, copilot,
P/O J. L. Jones, navigator,
F/O R. B. Shirra, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt H. A. S. Rawlinson, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt E. A. Kershsaw,
Sgt J. A. Cowman, flight engineer, †
LAC W. J. Johnston, flight engineer.
Source: http://www.101nisquadron.org/?page_id=1539

The crew left Pennfield Ridge AFB, New Brunswick, at 1237LT for a training mission. While cruising at low altitude, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Summerville, Nova Scotia. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O G. W. Cowie, pilot,
P/O C. A. Griffiths, navigator 2.

The crew departed Yarmouth on a training mission. En route, the airplane suffered a double engine failure, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees and crashed in Springhaven, 25 km east of Yarmouth, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Crew (34th OTU):
Sgt Kenneth George Calvert, pilot,
Sgt John Edward Franckeiss, pilot,
Sgt Keith Robert Self, pilot.

The twin engine airplane departed RCAF Yarmouth on an escort duty on SS Princess Helene from Digby to St John. After takeoff, it climbed steeply to about 100 feet when the starboard wing dropped. The aircraft swung sharply to starboard, rolled to an inverted position then dove into the ground and crashed northeast of the airport. All four crew members were killed. Sadly two more emergency response personnel were also killed and three others injured when the depth charges on board the aircraft subsequently exploded as they tried to put out the flames and rescue the crew.
Crew:
F/O Charles Leroy Tripp, pilot, †
F/Sgt Alexander John Baillie, navigator, †
W/O Robert Franklin Cavers, wireless operator and air gunner, †
W/O Mervin Elwood Tarrant, wireless operator and air gunner. †
Ground crew:
Lac Lloyd Edward Briggs, †
Ac1 Frank Hallek, †
Ac1 W. G. Ryan,
Cpl L. A. MacDonald,
Lac J. Russel.

The crew departed RCAF Pennfield Ridge at 1645LT on a bombing exercise off the west coast of Nova Scotia. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Gulf of Maine, off Port Maitland. Few debris were found three days later but no trace of the four occupants.
Crew (34th OTU):
P/O Thomas Anthony Corr, pilot,
P/O Fintan Howard Lalor, navigator,
F/S David Armstrong Cannon, wireless operator and air gunner.
Passenger:
O/S Ronald Herbert Faulkner.