Overview
A Douglas DC-3 aircraft was being ferried from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Whitehorse, Yukon, with a crew consisting of the captain, first officer, and an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer. Shortly after takeoff from runway 08, as the first officer was setting engine power, the right propeller began to overspeed.
Events
The captain instructed the first officer to shut down and feather the right engine. The first officer complied and informed the Vancouver tower controller of the engine problem and the intention to return to the airport for a landing on runway 08. The captain turned the aircraft to the right onto the downwind leg for runway 08. However, as the aircraft's altitude and airspeed continued to decrease, the first officer advised the tower that they would instead land on runway 30.
The aircraft continued to lose height, narrowly avoiding buildings in its path, and crashed to the ground one mile short of runway 30. The three occupants sustained serious injuries during the impact and the subsequent post-crash fire. The captain died of his injuries eight days after the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the aircraft's right engine oil system malfunctioned for reasons that were not identified, and the right propeller did not completely feather during the emergency shutdown. The resulting drag from the windmilling propeller rendered the aircraft unable to maintain flight.