No fatalities

En Route Engine Failure and Emergency Landing Attempt (43-5144)

Wrigley, CanadaFlight

On March 10, 1944, a Noorduyn Norseman (registration 43-5144) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Wrigley, Canada in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from an engine failure during en route flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered an engine failure while en route, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing near Wrigley. The aircraft was destroyed, and the fate of the occupants remains unknown.

What happened

While operating under en route conditions, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical issue when its engine failed. This sudden loss of power necessitated an immediate response from the flight crew, who initiated procedures for an emergency landing. The team directed the aircraft toward a suitable location approximately 72 km north of Wrigley to execute the forced descent.

Upon impact with the terrain, the airframe sustained severe structural damage that rendered it beyond repair. Despite recovery efforts or subsequent investigations into the crash site, there has been no confirmation regarding the survival status of those on board. Consequently, the official record lists the fate of the crew as unknown, with no verified data available to confirm fatalities or injuries at this time.

Findings

The investigation identified the primary factor leading to the incident. The official determination concluded that the accident was directly caused by engine failure, which precipitated the loss of control and the subsequent forced landing attempt in remote terrain.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from an engine failure during en route flight.