3 fatalities

1975-09-25: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (CF-AII) — Ilford Riverton Airways — Fort Severn, Canada

Fort Severn, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 25, 1975, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CF-AII) operated by Ilford Riverton Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Severn, Canada during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: At the time of the accident, the visibility was extremely limited due to fog and the crew descended too low until the airplane impacted ground. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781229814Data APIEditorial standards

During a cargo flight from Thunder Bay to Fort Severn, the aircraft encountered heavy fog, struck the bank of the Severn River, then hit a church roof and crashed in a graveyard, killing all three occupants.

Accident Overview

A cargo flight carrying building supplies from Thunder Bay to Fort Severn ended in a fatal crash after the crew encountered heavy fog on approach. The aircraft struck the bank of the Severn River, bounced into the air, and sheared off the roof of an Anglican church before crashing 267 feet away in a nearby graveyard, approximately 3 km from the threshold of runway 15. The aircraft was destroyed, and all three occupants were killed.

Accident Details

The flight was on final approach when dense fog severely reduced visibility. The aircraft impacted the riverbank, then became airborne again briefly, hitting the church roof before coming to rest in the graveyard. The wreckage was located about 3 km from the runway 15 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was that at the time of the accident, the visibility was extremely limited due to fog and the crew descended too low until the airplane impacted ground.