Aircraft crash near Fort Severn during cargo flight

3 fatalities • Fort Severn, Canada • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo aircraft crashed in a graveyard near Fort Severn after striking a riverbank during an approach in heavy fog.

What happened

A cargo flight transporting construction materials from Thunder Bay to Fort Severn ended in a fatal accident during the final approach phase. While navigating through dense fog, the crew of the aircraft struck the bank of the Severn River.

Following the initial impact with the riverbank, the plane bounced back into the air and collided with the roof of an Anglican church. The sequence of events concluded when the aircraft crashed into a graveyard, located approximately 3 km from the threshold of runway 15. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and three fatalities.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that visibility was severely restricted by heavy fog at the time of the incident. The primary factor contributing to the crash was that the crew descended below a safe altitude, leading to the impact with the terrain.

Probable cause

The flight crew descended too low during an approach in extremely limited visibility caused by heavy fog.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1975-09-25 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Fort Severn, Canada?

A cargo aircraft crashed in a graveyard near Fort Severn after striking a riverbank during an approach in heavy fog.

Were there any fatalities in the 1975-09-25 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1975-09-25 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration CF-AII, operated by Ilford Riverton Airways, at Fort Severn, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew descended too low during an approach in extremely limited visibility caused by heavy fog.

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