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Propeller Detachment Leads to Crash Near Grande Prairie (2369)

Grande Prairie, CanadaFlight

On March 17, 1954, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration 2369) operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF was involved in an aviation accident near Grande Prairie, Canada in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fractured crankshaft of the port engine was found in the crashed wreckage of the subject aircraft. Since the propeller was not found near the scene of the crash, it is suspected that the crankshaft failed, and that the propeller was lost in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane en route to Fort St John and Fort Nelson crashed near Grande Prairie after the propeller detached from the left engine. All three occupants were killed.

Accident Overview

A twin-engine airplane departed Edmonton on a flight to Fort St John and Fort Nelson. On board were one pilot and two accountant officers dispatched to carry out an audit at those airfields. During the flight, the propeller detached from the left engine. The pilot informed air traffic control that he was operating on one engine and elected to divert to Grande Prairie Airport. Shortly afterward, control of the airplane was lost, and it crashed inverted in a snow-covered field, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.

Occupants

The pilot was Flying Officer Raymond Clarence Leslie Hutchison. The passengers were Flight Lieutenant Reginald Coutts Seale and Flight Lieutenant Victor Clifford Dillabough.

Investigation Findings

Examination of the wreckage revealed a fractured crankshaft of the port engine. The propeller was not found near the crash site. Investigators suspected that the crankshaft failure caused the propeller to detach in flight.

Probable cause

The fractured crankshaft of the port engine was found in the crashed wreckage of the subject aircraft. Since the propeller was not found near the scene of the crash, it is suspected that the crankshaft failed, and that the propeller was lost in flight.
Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Mar 1954 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident near Grande Prairie, Canada?

A twin-engine airplane en route to Fort St John and Fort Nelson crashed near Grande Prairie after the propeller detached from the left engine. All three occupants were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Mar 1954 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Mar 1954 involved a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, registration 2369, operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF, at Grande Prairie, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The fractured crankshaft of the port engine was found in the crashed wreckage of the subject aircraft. Since the propeller was not found near the scene of the crash, it is suspected that the crankshaft failed, and that the propeller was lost in flight.

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