No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft overturned by strong winds during taxi at Cross Lake (CF-OAD)

Cross Lake, CanadaTaxiing

On May 4, 1944, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration CF-OAD) operated by Ontario Provincial Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Cross Lake, Canada while taxiing. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during taxi operations caused by high wind speeds. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane was flipped over by strong winds while taxiing at Cross Lake. Both occupants evacuated safely, but the airframe sustained damage beyond repair.

What happened

The incident occurred while a single-engine aircraft was undergoing ground movement operations at Cross Lake. During the taxi phase, the airplane encountered strong winds that exerted significant force on the airframe. This external factor caused the aircraft to lose stability and overturn onto its side or roof.

Despite the severity of the accident, both individuals on board were able to evacuate the wreckage safely without sustaining injuries. The structural integrity of the plane was compromised significantly during the event, resulting in damage that rendered the aircraft beyond repair.

Findings

The official investigation identified the primary contributing factor as the environmental conditions present at the time. The loss of control while taxiing was directly attributed to the high winds, which overwhelmed the pilot's ability to maintain directional stability on the ground.

Probable cause

Loss of control during taxi operations caused by high wind speeds.