Wilderness Airlines | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Eucott Bay, BC, while climbing to a height of about 300 feet, the pilot initiated a turn to the left to perform a 180 circuit to leave the valley, a standard procedure for the area. While turning, despite power was added and the aircraft was climbing, it descended to the left then stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 450 metres west of the point of departure, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the loss of control was caused by downdrafts was not ruled out.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander on Mt Waddington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

C-GOMC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Bella Coola – Campbell River

MSN:

YOM:

1967

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Bella Coola on a scheduled service to Campbell River but failed to arrive at destination. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was found. The wreckage was never localized but it is believed the aircraft may have crashed in the Mt Waddington (4,016 meters high) area.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Port Hardy: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1982

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

C-GSKY

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1358

YOM:

1959

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Circumstances:

The single engine airplane was engaged in an ambulance flight, carrying one pilot and one patient on a stretcher. Enroute, weather conditions deteriorated and the pilot encountered low ceiling and fog. He decided to reduce his altitude and attempted to land off Port Hardy. While taxiing in rough water, the nose compartments of the floats filled with water and the aircraft nosed over inverted. The patient drowned before she could be released from the stretcher while the pilot survived.