C-GQKZ19TH March 1992Red Lake(after my time)

This particular aircraft was never in the norOntair paint scheme,
but I am including it here in this gallery for its interesting history.

This norOntair flight was scheduled to proceed
from Red Lake to Kenora, and then to Thunder Bay.
There were no passengers for the leg to Kenora.

During the taxi to the runway, the pre-take-off checks
were completed, and the captain conducted the briefing
for a standard 10° flap take-off.

The young inexperienced captain then decided to practice a
short take-off and landing STOL-type take-off. He informed
the first officer and selected the flaps to 30°.

That STOL maneuver requires a bit of training and experience,
which this captain unfortunately didn't yet have.


The engines were set to take-off power, and after approximately
300 feet of ground roll, the aircraft became airborne.

Initially the aircraft climbed, and then it began to descend.
It then climbed again, more steeply than before.

Suddenly, at approximately 150 feet above ground level,
the aircraft stopped climbing, descended in a steep nose-down attitude,
and crashed heavily about 300 feet from the start of the take-off roll.

Both pilots, the only occupants, walked away from this crash.

Although the damage to the airframe was substantial, this aircraft
was rebuilt and was flying again by 1997. It continued to be
operated by several other companies under different registrations.

The captain continued his flying career & became a Captain at Air Canada.
Good guy... just a bad day back then.


Ray Fread (Habitual Lawbreaker) de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterC-GQKZ Red Lake Airport, Ontario, CanadaICAO: CYRLIATA: YRL 19TH March 1992