What happened
On the day of the accident, the aircraft registered CF-HTN finished a water drop at 60° 33' N and 113° 03' W. Following the drop, the pilot flew toward the site of a helicopter crash located roughly 1.5 miles west of the fire. While circling the wreckage to the right, the crew reported the earlier crash to Fort Smith aeradio via VHF radio. During its final circuit, the flight path of CF-HTN shifted northwest, moving directly over the site of the helicopter wreckage.
Simultaneously, a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso, registered CF-IDS and operated by North Canada Air (Norcanair), approached the same fire from the south. After completing its own water drop, the Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso entered a climbing left turn. During this maneuver, the two aircraft collided.
Physical examination of the wreckage indicated that the left wing of CF-HTN struck the right wing of CF-IDS. The impact severed half of the right wing of CF-IDS, causing it to roll right and crash. The collision also broke off the outer third of the left wing of CF-HTN. Additionally, parts of the float and wing tip from CF-IDS struck the elevator and left stabilizer of CF-HTN, breaking those controls away. This caused CF-HTN to roll left and crash. There was no evidence that either crew attempted evasive maneuvers or spotted the other aircraft before impact. The accident resulted in 4 fatalities and the total destruction of both aircraft.
Findings
Investigations determined that neither aircraft suffered a mechanical malfunction prior to the collision. While technical inspections were conducted, no evidence was found to support a failure of equipment, and witnesses reported no visible issues with either plane. The investigation concluded that the collision occurred because one aircraft altered its flight pattern to investigate a previous crash site, placing both bombers on converging paths. At the time of the impact, the crews were heavily occupied with flight tasks and failed to see each other in time to avoid the strike.