On August 19, 1971, a Beechcraft D18 (registration CF-GXT) operated by Saint-Félicien Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Hudson Bay, Canada in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the loss of control and subsequent crash remains undetermined due to a lack of sufficient wreckage. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft disappeared while cruising over Hudson Bay, resulting in a crash with no immediate explanation.
What happened
During the cruise phase of flight, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a loss of control while flying over the Hudson Bay. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the waters of the bay under circumstances that were not immediately understood. Following the disappearance, search efforts yielded very little evidence. Approximately one month after the incident, investigators and recovery teams located a small amount of wreckage along with several deceased individuals.
Findings
At this stage, the specific reasons for the loss of control have not been determined. The investigation has been hampered by the lack of significant debris recovered from the site. Because the exact nature of the mishap remains unclear, no definitive conclusion regarding the mechanical or operational failures that led to the crash has been established.
Probable cause
The cause of the loss of control and subsequent crash remains undetermined due to a lack of sufficient wreckage.