FlightFinder
Check my flight
1 fatality

Passenger Dies and Aircraft Destroyed by Fire After Engine Fire and Runway Excursion at Seven Islands Airport (CF-THK)

Seven Islands, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 7, 1969, a Vickers Viscount (registration CF-THK) operated by Air Canada was involved in an aviation accident near Seven Islands, Canada during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Overheating of the starter selector relay during starting of no.1 and 2 engines. The proximity of a wire bundle to the relay provided a source of combustibles for the initial fire. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Shortly after takeoff from Seven Islands Airport, the crew reported an engine fire. They returned for an emergency landing but lost control due to fire in the left main gear wheel well, veering off the runway. A passenger died during evacuation and the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident

Shortly after takeoff from Seven Islands Airport at 0913 local time, while climbing, the crew reported a fire on engine number 2 and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the crew initiated the braking procedure when control was lost due to fire in the left main gear wheel well. The airplane veered off the runway to the right before coming to rest.

Fatalities and Damage

After coming to rest, the aircraft burst into flames. A passenger died during the evacuation. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable Cause

Official investigation findings indicate that the probable cause was overheating of the starter selector relay during starting of engines number 1 and 2. The proximity of a wire bundle to the relay provided a source of combustibles for the initial fire.

In-flight fire & smoke

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Apr 1969 Vickers Viscount accident near Seven Islands, Canada?

Shortly after takeoff from Seven Islands Airport, the crew reported an engine fire. They returned for an emergency landing but lost control due to fire in the left main gear wheel well, veering off the runway. A passenger died during evacuation and the aircraft was destroyed.

Were there any fatalities in the 7 Apr 1969 Vickers Viscount accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Apr 1969 involved a Vickers Viscount, registration CF-THK, operated by Air Canada, at Seven Islands, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Overheating of the starter selector relay during starting of no.1 and 2 engines. The proximity of a wire bundle to the relay provided a source of combustibles for the initial fire.

More accident analyses