Disappearance of PA-31 Navajo near Blanc-Sablon

2 fatalities • Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon, Canada • Landing (descent or approach)

A chartered PA-31 Navajo disappeared during a night flight in January 1994 while traveling between Quebec and Newfoundland.

What happened

On the evening of 11 January 1994, a PA-31 Navajo was conducting a chartered round-robin service. The flight was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) and was traveling from Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon airport in Quebec toward St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

At 1813 Newfoundland standard time (NST), the crew notified the St. Anthony flight service station of their departure. Approximately thirty-three minutes later, the crew provided an update stating they were maintaining an altitude of 2,500 feet and were positioned 32 nautical miles southeast of Blanc-Sablon.

Seven minutes following that update, the crew established contact with the Sept-Iles flight service station via the Blanc-Sablon repeater. During this transmission, the crew requested current airport information and indicated they were 16 nautical miles and six minutes away from their destination. After receiving updates regarding the altimeter setting and wind conditions, the crew indicated their intention to use runway 05 and promised to contact the station again during their final approach. Following this communication, the aircraft ceased all radio contact. The wreckage of the aircraft was not located until seven months later, when it was discovered by fishermen.

Findings

No specific cause for the disappearance was determined from the available radio transmissions, though the aircraft was operating during nighttime flight conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-01-11 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident near Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon, Canada?

A chartered PA-31 Navajo disappeared during a night flight in January 1994 while traveling between Quebec and Newfoundland.

Were there any fatalities in the 1994-01-11 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-01-11 involved a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, registration C-GDOU, operated by Trans-Côte, at Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon, Canada.

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