On May 15, 1967, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration CF-NAD) operated by Nordair was involved in an aviation accident near Cape Dyer, Canada during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadequate flight planning by the crew during operations in whiteout conditions. 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.
A fatal accident occurred during an approach to Cape Dyer Station when an aircraft struck the ground short of the runway.
What happened
During an approach to Cape Dyer Station, an aircraft encountered severe whiteout conditions. While on final approach, the pilot did not maintain sufficient altitude, leading to a collision with the terrain approximately 1.4 km before reaching the runway threshold. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were four fatalities among the occupants of the plane.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was poor flight planning by the crew. Additionally, the presence of whiteout conditions at the destination airport was identified as a contributing factor to the controlled flight into terrain.
Probable cause
Inadequate flight planning by the crew during operations in whiteout conditions.