Event
An AAC aircraft, carrying 18 souls including 14 Indigenous children, a chaperone, and a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer), took off from runway 36 at CFS Val d'Or. The runway 18/36 is 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. As the aircraft lifted off and came abeam of the control tower, the air traffic controller observed a fire in the left engine. The controller transmitted, "AAC Val d'Or Tower, fireball left engine." The pilot responded, "Roger Tower."
The engine fire was immediately extinguished and the engine shut down. The aircraft continued to climb. The pilot was cleared for an unrestricted landing and given wind information. No further transmissions were received from the pilot.
The controller anticipated that the aircraft would continue climbing, turn right into the live engine, and land on runway 18. However, the aircraft started to descend and commenced a left turn into the shutdown engine. It disappeared behind a hill known to station personnel as "Lang's Hill," northwest of the button of runway 18.
Rescue
Emergency crash bells were first sounded for an airborne emergency. Upon losing sight of the aircraft, the crash bells were sounded again at 4:01 p.m. on a Friday, indicating a Major Disaster requiring all station personnel to respond. Friday nights at CFS Val d'Or traditionally included a beer call at 1600 hours, when most of the 350 personnel were present at various messes.
All 18 souls on board were rescued within 15 minutes of impact. Both pilots were found still strapped to their seats upside down outside near their respective wings. The flight engineer was also strapped to his seat upside down in the nose of the aircraft, which was split open and jagged. The aircraft had been guided into very high trees and slid down them, coming to rest at approximately a 45-degree angle.
Aftermath
The most serious injury was an injured vertebra sustained by one of the pilots, which resulted in no permanent damage. All other occupants sustained minor cuts and bruises. According to reports, the pilot had previously stated he would execute such a maneuver if confronted with this scenario; it proved effective. The station's Major Disaster Team quickly located and extracted the crew and passengers. All individuals were housed in a station barracks block, received medical attention, and were later transferred to St-Sauveur Hospital in Val d'Or for further care. Credit is given to Lou Travis, the air traffic controller on duty at the time of the accident.