CF-100 Canuck Incident Report

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Date: 27 September 1960

• Aircraft Type: Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck Mk 5

• Registration: 18469

• Operator: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

• Construction Number: C-100/5/369

• Fatalities: 2 (Flying Officer L. Tidball and Flying Officer J. Kerr)

• Location: Near the north shore of Lake Ontario, Canada

• Phase: En route

• Departure Airport: CFS Mountainview, Ontario

• Destination Airport: Not specified

• Status: Aircraft and crew missing

AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTION

The Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck was a twin-engine, all-weather interceptor aircraft developed for the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Cold War. The Mk 5 variant featured:

• Role: Military interceptor

• Engine: Two Orenda 11 turbojet engines

• Crew: Two (pilot and radar operator)

• Notable Features: Equipped for high-altitude, long-range operations in adverse weather conditions, with a service ceiling of approximately 45,000 feet.

INCIDENT NARRATIVE

On the morning of 27 September 1960, two CF-100 aircraft from the 129 Acceptance and Fairy Flight Squadron departed from CFS Mountainview, Ontario, on a routine delivery flight. Both aircraft were en route over Lake Ontario under favorable weather conditions, with Visibility reported as excellent.

Approximately two miles behind lead aircraft CF-100 18469, the second aircraft reported entering a high-level cirrus cloud. Shortly afterward, CF-100 18469 disappeared from radar without issuing a distress signal. The disappearance was both abrupt and unexplained, leaving no opportunity for the crew to communicate the nature of their emergency.

SEARCH & OUTCOME

A thorough and extensive search ensued, involving both air and naval units from the RCAF. The search efforts included:

• Covering a wide area of Lake Ontario and surrounding land regions.

• Deployment of sonar and other detection technologies to locate wreckage.

Despite these efforts, no trace of the aircraft or crew was found. The two crew members, F/O L. Tidball and F/O J. Kerr, were declared missing and presumed dead. The aircraft remains one of the unsolved mysteries of Lake Ontario.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

1. Hypoxia (Oxygen Deprivation)

• A sudden loss of cabin pressure could have incapacitated the crew, resulting in an uncontrolled descent into Lake Ontario.

• Evidence is circumstantial, as no wreckage has been found to confirm this theory.

2. Catastrophic Mechanical Failure

• A sudden structural or systems failure, such as engine explosion or control system failure, may have caused the aircraft to plummet into the lake.

3. Weather-Related Incident

• While the weather was reported to be favorable, unexpected conditions such as severe turbulence or icing may have played a role.

4. Speculative Theories

• Some propose unconventional explanations, including the “Great Lakes Triangle” theory or extraterrestrial involvement, though these lack credible evidence.

IMPACT & LEGACY

The disappearance of CF-100 Canuck 18469 underscores the dangers faced by military aviators and the operational risks of high-performance aircraft. It remains a poignant case in Canadian military aviation history, highlighting:

• The need for advancements in search-and-rescue operations.

• Improved aircraft safety protocols and navigation systems.

The loss of F/O L. Tidball and F/O J. Kerr is commemorated by the RCAF and aviation historians as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made in service to national defense.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Aviation Safety Network: Comprehensive details on aviation incidents.

• RCAF History: Information on Canadian military aviation and the CF-100.

• Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers: Database including CF-100 serial numbers.

• Lake Ontario Shipwrecks and Aircraft Crashes: Historical documentation of incidents in Lake Ontario.

CONCLUSION

The disappearance of CF-100 Canuck 18469 remains an enduring mystery. The loss of the aircraft and its crew reflects the inherent dangers of military aviation, particularly in an era of rapid technological advancement. Continued interest in such cases fuels historical preservation efforts and fosters respect for the courage and dedication of those who serve.