Investigation Summary
The flight originated from Kitimat with a stop at Kildala, carrying employees of the Alcan aluminum project. The aircraft, a converted military surplus Consolidated PBY-5A Canso known as 'Polar Bear', was delayed by approximately three hours and encountered strong southeast headwinds. As the flight progressed south, the pilot failed to obtain the latest meteorological reports, which indicated a lowering cloud base and poor visibility across Vancouver Island. At 18:48, the crew reported their position as 20 miles west of Vancouver at 2,000 feet, requesting clearance to the Tower frequency. In reality, the aircraft was approximately 37 miles west of its intended flight path, positioned near Nanaimo. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying as low as 500 feet in heavy rain, circling the lights of Nanaimo twice. It is believed the pilot mistook Nanaimo for Vancouver and turned west to avoid overflying the city center, unaware that this path led directly into the 3,366-foot peak of Mount Benson. The aircraft struck a vertical rock wall in an inverted position and fell to a ledge 15 feet below, where it exploded and caught fire.
Final Conclusions
The Department of Transport determined the probable cause was the continuance of VFR flight at night under conditions of restricted visibility. This was compounded by a navigational error where the pilot mistook Nanaimo for Vancouver, likely precipitated by inadequate pre-flight preparation and the failure to obtain updated weather information. The investigation also noted that the pilot was not qualified for instrument flight (IFR) and the aircraft was not certified for IFR operations at the time.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
VFR Navigation
The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules, which require the pilot to remain clear of clouds and maintain visual contact with the ground. The pilot's failure to transition to IFR or land when visibility dropped led to the navigational error.
Consolidated Canso A (PBY-5A)
A civilian conversion of the PBY Catalina flying boat. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure in the airframe or engines prior to impact.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident was the deadliest aviation disaster in British Columbia's history at the time.
- 02The 20 passengers were construction workers and employees of the Alcan aluminum project.
- 03The aircraft initially struck a 16-inch diameter tree snag 200 feet before the final impact, causing the right wing to crumple and the aircraft to invert.
- 04The crash occurred 66 minutes after official nightfall in conditions of heavy rain and fog.
- 05Wreckage and bodies were scattered up to 152 meters (500 feet) from the impact point.
- 06The pilot, Douglas McQueen, was a WWII veteran but was not qualified for instrument flight rules (IFR).
- 07Recovery efforts involved over 90 volunteers; 20 bodies were recovered and 10 identified, while 3 victims were presumed incinerated.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Memorialization
A plaque was mounted by the BC Labour Heritage Centre and Nanaimo Historical Society to commemorate the victims, many of whom were Alcan employees.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Ministry of Transport IFR Restrictions
Reference ↗Queen Charlotte Airlines founder Jim Spilsbury alleged in his book 'Accidental Airline' that the Ministry of Transport had refused to certify the airline for instrument flight for four years, forcing pilots to fly VFR in dangerous conditions.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.