No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft crash in Hidden Lake due to snowstorm (G-CAVH)

Hidden Lake, CanadaFlight

On December 4, 1945, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-CAVH) operated by International Airways of Canada was involved in an aviation accident near Hidden Lake, Canada in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with treetops while flying in a snowstorm. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 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 aircraft struck treetops while navigating a snowstorm near Hidden Lake, resulting in injuries to both occupants and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred during flight operations in Hidden Lake, situated approximately 26 miles northeast of Yellowknife. The pilot was operating a single-engine aircraft under adverse weather conditions characterized by a snowstorm. During this period, the aircraft descended into terrain and struck treetops before crashing into a wooded area. Both individuals on board sustained injuries, and the airframe was destroyed in the impact.

Findings

The primary contributing factor to the accident was the collision with natural obstacles caused by reduced visibility and low altitude during the snowstorm.

Probable cause

Collision with treetops while flying in a snowstorm