On March 12, 1995, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration C-FDTT) operated by Trans Fair was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Manitou, Canada during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck an ice ridge during landing, causing it to cartwheel. 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.
An aircraft sustained significant damage after striking an ice ridge during its landing roll, resulting in a cartwheel maneuver.
What happened
During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft encountered an obstacle on the surface of the landing area. As the plane touched down, one of the skis made contact with an ice ridge located on the ground. This impact caused the aircraft to lose stability and undergo a cartwheel motion.
Despite the severity of the impact, all three crew members were able to exit the aircraft without sustaining any injuries. The structural damage sustained during the event was extensive, and the aircraft was subsequently declared a total loss, being damaged beyond repair.
Findings
The primary cause of the accident was the impact of the landing gear with an ice ridge on the ground surface.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck an ice ridge during landing, causing it to cartwheel.