What happened
During the final approach to Stephenville at night, the four-engine aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Although initial forecasts indicated good visibility, winds intensified significantly as the flight progressed. Approximately ten minutes before the scheduled arrival time, the aircraft deviated from its intended path and impacted the slope of a mountain located near Cape Saint George, west of the destination airport.
The collision resulted in immediate fatalities for nine occupants. Additionally, nine other passengers and crew members sustained serious injuries. In the days following the crash, three of those seriously injured individuals succumbed to their wounds, bringing the total death toll to twelve.
Findings
Investigations indicated that while the pilot monitored weather conditions frequently before and during the flight, the aircraft was displaced from its course by high-velocity winds. A critical contributing factor was the failure to utilize functioning radio navigational aids to verify the aircraft's position prior to and during the descent phase. The impact occurred on the side of a hill locally identified as Garden Hill on the Port-au-Port peninsula.