Narrative:
The Bristol 170 aircraft took off at about 08:25 on a non-scheduled flight from FOX to CAM D with the pilot-in-command, co-pilot
and flight engineer on board; the chassis and engine of a five ton dump truck was carried as freight. About one minute after take-off the pilot-in-command called the control tower and told them that his load had shifted to the rear. At 08:27 when the aircraft was
approaching the end of the downwind leg it was seen to assume a climbing attitude, fall into a spin to the right and crash to the ground. Also five seconds after the impact the aircraft exploded and caught fire. The three crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The truck, which was not properly secured, broke free, probably during the acceleration of take-off and slid to the rear of the aircraft, causing the centre-of gravity of the aircraft to move considerably aft of the maximum permissible aft limit. While attempting to return to land the pilot lost control of the aircraft which stalled, went into a spin and crashed."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 13 February 1956 |
| Type: |  Bristol 170 Freighter 31 |
| Operator: | Maritime Central Airways |
| Registration: | CF-FZU |
| MSN: | 13136 |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 2,4 km (1.5 mls) off Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB) ( Canada)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB/CYFB), Canada |
| Simpson Lake Airstrip, NU, Canada |
The Bristol 170 aircraft took off at about 08:25 on a non-scheduled flight from FOX to CAM D with the pilot-in-command, co-pilot
and flight engineer on board; the chassis and engine of a five ton dump truck was carried as freight. About one minute after take-off the pilot-in-command called the control tower and told them that his load had shifted to the rear. At 08:27 when the aircraft was
approaching the end of the downwind leg it was seen to assume a climbing attitude, fall into a spin to the right and crash to the ground. Also five seconds after the impact the aircraft exploded and caught fire. The three crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The truck, which was not properly secured, broke free, probably during the acceleration of take-off and slid to the rear of the aircraft, causing the centre-of gravity of the aircraft to move considerably aft of the maximum permissible aft limit. While attempting to return to land the pilot lost control of the aircraft which stalled, went into a spin and crashed."
Classification:
Cargo shift Loss of control
Sources:
» The Age - Feb 15, 1956Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Frobisher Bay Airport, NU to Simpson Lake Airstrip, NU as the crow flies is 1161 km (726 miles).
Distance from Frobisher Bay Airport, NU to Simpson Lake Airstrip, NU as the crow flies is 1161 km (726 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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