Accident
On an unspecified date, a twin-engine airplane operating a charter flight departed Barkerville-Wells Airport en route to Calgary. The aircraft carried four passengers and two pilots, returning from an inspection of the Mosquito Creek Gold Mine in Wells. During the takeoff roll from snow-covered Runway 29, the airplane failed to become airborne, overran the runway, and crashed into a gravel pit.
The accident resulted in the deaths of both pilots, Glen Johnson and Leo Wolfe, and two passengers, Andrew Jukes and John Lund. Two other passengers, Roger Tourigny and Richard Arndt, sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the following factors contributing to the accident:
- The airplane was overloaded by approximately 600 pounds, and its center of gravity was located too far aft.
- Visible ground marks gave no indication of braking.
- The aircraft had recently been repainted, and markings indicating emergency exits had not been replaced, which slowed rescue efforts.
- The 2,700-foot runway was upsloped 2.1% and covered with between one and three inches of snow during the attempted takeoff.