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Windshear Incident at Hewanorra Airport (C-GQBH)

Hewanorra, Saint LuciaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 19, 1979, a Boeing 707 (registration C-GQBH) operated by Québecair was involved in an aviation accident near Hewanorra, Saint Lucia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control following windshear conditions on final approach. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 707
Photo: USAF / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A charter flight from Toronto encountered windshear on approach to Hewanorra Airport, stalling at six meters and striking the runway. All 171 occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident Overview A charter flight operating from Toronto encountered windshear conditions while on final approach to Hewanorra Airport. The aircraft remained stable during the initial phase of the approach, but the situation changed as it passed over the runway threshold. At a height of six meters, the copilot retarded the throttles, and the airplane subsequently stalled, striking the runway surface. The impact caused the nose gear to be torn off, and the aircraft slid for approximately 700 meters before coming to rest. All 171 occupants on board escaped the incident uninjured. Despite the successful evacuation, the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Probable cause

Loss of control following windshear conditions on final approach.
Loss of control in flightWeather

Related events

Same operator

More Boeing 707 safety records →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Feb 1979 Boeing 707 accident near Hewanorra, Saint Lucia?

A charter flight from Toronto encountered windshear on approach to Hewanorra Airport, stalling at six meters and striking the runway. All 171 occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Feb 1979 Boeing 707 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Feb 1979 involved a Boeing 707, registration C-GQBH, operated by Québecair, at Hewanorra, Saint Lucia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control following windshear conditions on final approach.

More accident analyses