No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft accident in Saint Anthony (CF-GPM)

Saint Anthony, CanadaTakeoff (climb)

On February 4, 1955, a Noorduyn Norseman (registration CF-GPM) operated by Eastern Provincial Airways - EPA was involved in an aviation accident near Saint Anthony, Canada during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft broke through a layer of ice during its takeoff roll, leading to partial submersion. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane became partially submerged in ice during takeoff from Saint Anthony harbor, resulting in no injuries.

What happened

During a departure from the harbor located in Saint Anthony, a single-engine aircraft encountered ice while performing its takeoff roll. The impact with the frozen surface caused the plane to break through the ice layer. As a result of the breach, the aircraft ended up partially underwater.

Despite the severity of the incident, all individuals on board were able to exit the aircraft without harm. There were zero fatalities and no reported injuries among the occupants. Following the event, the aircraft was inspected and determined to be a total loss, as the damage sustained was beyond repair.

Findings

  • The aircraft's movement through the ice occurred during the takeoff phase of flight.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the failure of the ice surface to support the weight of the aircraft during its departure from the harbor.

Probable cause

The aircraft broke through a layer of ice during its takeoff roll, leading to partial submersion.