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Aircraft Accident on Approach to Pelly Bay (CF-IHQ)

Pelly Bay, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 25, 1960, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration CF-IHQ) operated by Wheeler Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Pelly Bay, Canada during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and the aircraft struck the ground while on the downwind leg of a circuit to land. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 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

An aircraft struck the ground short of the runway at Pelly Bay during a circuit, resulting in serious injuries to both pilots and total loss of the aircraft.

Incident Overview During an approach to Pelly Bay, an aircraft descended too low and impacted the ground several hundred yards before the runway threshold. The collision occurred while the aircraft was on the downwind leg of a circuit to land. Both pilots aboard the aircraft sustained serious injuries. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair. No specific aircraft type, registration, operator, or date was provided in the source material. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude, leading to the ground impact during the downwind leg of the landing circuit.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and the aircraft struck the ground while on the downwind leg of a circuit to land.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Mar 1960 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Pelly Bay, Canada?

An aircraft struck the ground short of the runway at Pelly Bay during a circuit, resulting in serious injuries to both pilots and total loss of the aircraft.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Mar 1960 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Mar 1960 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration CF-IHQ, operated by Wheeler Airlines, at Pelly Bay, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and the aircraft struck the ground while on the downwind leg of a circuit to land.

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