From Our Readers Recalling a Disaster
Re: Downhome Jan. 2017 issue, pg. 118 - Disaster at Goose Bay Airport A U.S. Airforce military aircraft AC130 Cargomaster crashed on takeoff on Nov. 7, 1964. I and one of our aircraft mechanics were on our way home at the time of the accident and witnessed the whole scene. Weather may have been a factor. Approximately 45 minutes before the accident the temperature was around one to two degrees above zero when the temperature dropped suddenly to -1° to -3° with wet snow showers still falling. That’s when we noticed the aircraft taxiing to takeoff position, snow showers just ending. We watched the aircraft pilot complete his engine runup and start his takeoff run. Just before liftoff the pilot cut the engines and aborted the takeoff and taxied back down the runway. The engineer and I assumed that he was heading back to the hangar to be de-iced. We were surprised when the aircraft passed the hangar and continued to the takeoff position again. After doing an engine run-up, the pilot started his takeoff run again. The aircraft lifted off and reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet when its right wing dropped dangerously 8
inside LABRADOR
low. The pilot brought the wing up and levelled the aircraft for a second when the left wing dropped and the aircraft went into a nose down position. With the loss of altitude and airspeed, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the fuel tank farm. Thus the disaster. I believe the pilot tried to avoid the fuel tanks, but the aircraft was beyond control. At the time of the accident I had 18 years of experience in ground handling all of the world’s commercial carriers. William Maloney, Clarenville, NL
A C130 Cargomaster similar to the one that crashed.
Kayak Memories I just happened to pick up your magazine, Inside Labrador, and saw these interesting stories on life in Labrador. Right away the picture on the front cover caught my eye. It is a picture of Cartwright not far from where my parents grew up in Sandwich Bay. I was very impressed with the kayak WINTER 2019