1992 Gimli DHC-4 Caribou crash

On August 27, 1992 a modified de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou prototype conversion aircraft operated by NewCal Aviation, Inc., registration N400NC, crashed (TSB report number A92C0154) shortly after takeoff from Gimli Industrial Park Airport in Gimli, Manitoba. The aircraft was conducting an experimental test flight when it lost control and impacted the ground, killing all three crew members on board. The accident was attributed to the aircraft’s gust lock system not being fully disengaged before takeoff, which led to a loss of control in flight.

Flight crew

The crew of three consisted of two pilots, Michael J. Quirk (43) and Perry Eugene Niforos (40), and design supervisor and engineer, Gordon Hagel (27). The crew was licensed to fly the DHC-4, however their experience with the specific turboprop modification was limited. Quirk, the pilot in command, had 4700 hours of flight time on this type of DHC-4. He had previously piloted a CV-7A in Vietnam, and later whilst serving for the United States Armed Forces at the Marshall Islands and finally whilst flying for Interocean Airways in Mozambique. The originally scheduled co-pilot, who had greater experience with piston DHC-4 aircraft, was substituted instead for Niforos, the son of the owner of NewCal Aviation Inc., who had less time with the aircraft with only 240 hours on this type, prior to takeoff. Investigators found that both Quirk and Niforos had limited experience individually for the flight of the aircraft. Hagel, working for Aero Consulting Services Ltd., was present evaluating the aircraft's fuel and hydraulic system modifications during the flight test.

Accident

On the morning of August 27, 1992, the crew reportedly attended preflight briefings. The modified DHC-4A was lightly loaded at a mid center of gravity (C of G) position. Gordon Hagel, who was involved as design supervisor and engineer for NewCal Aviation, boarded the flight with pilot in command Quirk and co-pilot Niforos to record test flight performance results of both the modified fuel pump and hydraulic systems. In-flight checks were to be undertaken to include simulated failures of both wing fuel pumps and in-line pumps, to assess fuel pressure response.

The crew and aircraft taxied for takeoff at runway 14 at Gimli Industrial Park Airport. Engine power and brakes were applied, and control of the aircraft was maintained for approximately 900 feet before takeoff. After lift-off, the aircraft entered an unusually steep climb, caused by the aircraft's pitch attitude increasing to a position higher than what had been observed on previous test flight takeoffs. This was confirmed later by video footage. A subsequent pitch-up movement was made at 35 feet above ground level (agl), from which point elevator control surfaces remained at neutral. At approximately 200 feet agl, the aircraft rolled slowly to the right before abruptly pitching into a steep nose-down and crashing in a right-wing-low attitude. There was no explosion, however a post-impact fire, caused by on-board fuel igniting, destroyed most of the wreckage. None of the three crew members survived. Eyewitness accounts reported a fuel explosion that sounded "like a bomb went off". Footage of the aircraft taking off and subsequently crashing were recorded on amateur 8 mm video format videotape, which have been uploaded on websites such as YouTube.

This was the most fatal disaster of this aircraft type since November 10, 1987, where a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou (C-GVYX) crashed near Ross River, Yukon during a single-engine go-around. This occurred after an oil leak led to the failure of the right engine. Both crew members lost their lives, while the two passengers survived.