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2 fatalities

Aircraft Collision with Terrain Near Penticton Airport (CF-CUF)

Penticton, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 22, 1950, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CF-CUF) operated by Canadian Pacific Airlines - CP Air was involved in an aviation accident near Penticton, Canada during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude of 6,500 feet fixed to clear the Mt Okanagan. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck trees and crashed on Mt Okanagan during an instrument approach to Penticton in marginal weather. Both pilots were killed, and 16 occupants were evacuated, some injured.

Incident Overview and Immediate Outcome During an instrument approach to Penticton in marginal weather, the aircraft encountered several trees. The impact sheared off the left wing, causing the aircraft to rotate to the left and crash in a snow-covered, wooded area on Mt Okanagan, approximately 27 km north of Penticton Airport. Sixteen occupants were evacuated from the wreckage, with some sustaining injuries. Both pilots were killed in the accident. ## Official Findings The investigation determined that the crew initiated the descent prematurely. This action caused the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude of 6,500 feet, which was established to clear Mt Okanagan. The aircraft struck the mountain because it was below the permissible minimum altitude when passing through the Greata fan marker during the instrument approach procedure on the Penticton Radio Range.

Probable cause

The crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude of 6,500 feet fixed to clear the Mt Okanagan. The aircraft struck Okanagan Mountain as a result of being below the minimum altitude permissible when passing through the Greata fan marker during an instrument approach procedure on the Penticton Radio Range.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Dec 1950 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Penticton, Canada?

An aircraft struck trees and crashed on Mt Okanagan during an instrument approach to Penticton in marginal weather. Both pilots were killed, and 16 occupants were evacuated, some injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Dec 1950 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Dec 1950 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration CF-CUF, operated by Canadian Pacific Airlines - CP Air, at Penticton, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly below the minimum safe altitude of 6,500 feet fixed to clear the Mt Okanagan. The aircraft struck Okanagan Mountain as a result of being below the minimum altitude permissible when passing through the Greata fan marker during an instrument approach…

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