No fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crash shortly after takeoff at Matane Airfield (CF-BFL)

Matane, CanadaTakeoff (climb)

On February 23, 1938, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration CF-BFL) operated by Quebec Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Matane, Canada during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An aerodynamic stall occurred shortly after liftoff from Matane Airfield. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane stalled immediately after departing Matane Airfield, resulting in a crash that left all six occupants safe but the aircraft destroyed.

What happened

The incident occurred shortly after the twin engine airplane initiated its departure from Matane Airfield. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall. This loss of lift caused the plane to descend rapidly and impact the ground. Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders discovered that all six individuals on board had been successfully evacuated or rescued from the wreckage. While the occupants survived the event, the structural integrity of the airframe was compromised to such an extent that it was declared damaged beyond repair.

Findings

The primary mechanical event leading to the accident was a stall occurring in the immediate post-takeoff phase of flight. The source material does not provide further details regarding specific maintenance issues, weather conditions, or pilot actions contributing to this loss of lift.

Probable cause

An aerodynamic stall occurred shortly after liftoff from Matane Airfield.