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5 fatalities

Midair Breakup of a DC-4 Cargo Flight from Montreal-Dorval (CF-ILI)

Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon, CanadaFlight

On November 4, 1959, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration CF-ILI) operated by Wheeler Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon, Canada in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A fire of undetermined origin started in the No. 2 engine nacelle during the climb and developed to the stage where fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate to extinguish it. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A DC-4 cargo flight from Montreal-Dorval to Hall Beach broke up in midair after an uncontrolled descent caused by a No. 2 engine fire. All five crew members were killed.

Flight Details and Emergency Declaration Flight 1658 departed Montreal-Dorval runway 10 at 2244 local time on a cargo flight to Hall Beach, NWT. After takeoff, the aircraft continued on the runway heading and climbed to 6,000 feet. The course was then changed, and the aircraft climbed to its assigned altitude of 9,000 feet, reaching that altitude at 2259 local time. About three and a half minutes later, the crew reported that they were in an emergency descent because of a No. 2 engine fire. ## Final Contact and Midair Breakup The last radio contact occurred at 2307 local time, when the crew reported that the aircraft had lost its left wing and was in a spin and going straight in. The DC-4 broke up in midair, with wreckage spread over an area of 1.25 by 0.75 miles. All five crew members were killed.

Probable cause

A fire of undetermined origin started in the No. 2 engine nacelle during the climb and developed to the stage where fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate to extinguish it. Primary contributing factors included the deteriorated condition of the exhaust collector ring, the probable deteriorated condition of the flexible wire braid hose assemblies, the probable use of high power during the climb, and the possible failure of the fire detection and warning system to inform the pilot of the fire before it had penetrated the firewall and ignited the fuel feed system and oil tank to the rear of the No. 2 engine. During the rapid letdown, stresses imposed on the weakened left wing by manoeuvre and/or gusts were sufficient to sever the left wing spar. No subsequent action by the pilot could have brought the aircraft safely to the ground, and it was not possible to determine what effect a less rapid letdown would have had.
In-flight fire & smoke

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Nov 1959 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident near Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon, Canada?

A DC-4 cargo flight from Montreal-Dorval to Hall Beach broke up in midair after an uncontrolled descent caused by a No. 2 engine fire. All five crew members were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Nov 1959 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Nov 1959 involved a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, registration CF-ILI, operated by Wheeler Airlines, at Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A fire of undetermined origin started in the No. 2 engine nacelle during the climb and developed to the stage where fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate to extinguish it. Primary contributing factors included the deteriorated condition of the exhaust collector ring, the probable deteriorated condition of the…

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