De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name:
Type:
Date of Incident:
Aircraft Registration:
Manufactured:
Final Location:
Coordinates:

CF-BNG
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
March 9, 1946
CF-BNG
1939
Lake Ontario
Exact coordinates not specified

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION #

On March 9, 1946, the De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, registered as CF-BNG, departed Montreal for a scheduled flight to Toronto. The aircraft, piloted by a lone crew member, was a routine sight in Canadian skies, having been manufactured in 1939. However, this journey would soon turn into a perilous adventure that tested the pilot’s mettle.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE #

During the enroute phase of the flight, an engine fire broke out, creating an emergency that required immediate action. The pilot, demonstrating quick thinking and skillful maneuvering, decided to attempt an emergency landing on Lake Ontario, where ice provided a tenuous but vital landing surface.

As the aircraft descended, the pilot expertly navigated it onto the icy lake. The landing was fraught with danger—flames licked at the aircraft, and sparks flew as it skidded on its floats. Despite the life-threatening situation, the pilot managed to safely evacuate the aircraft before the flames fully engulfed it.

The aftermath left the CF-BNG utterly destroyed by fire, but remarkably, the pilot emerged unharmed. This incident quickly became a national headline, showcasing the pilot’s bravery and the dramatic nature of the escape.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The CF-BNG did not survive the fire and was completely destroyed on Lake Ontario. The exact location of the wreckage, if any remnants remain, is not documented, leaving the final resting place of the aircraft a mystery.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The remains of the CF-BNG, if they still exist, lie somewhere in Lake Ontario. The exact site is not known, and the likelihood of recovery or exploration is minimal given the time elapsed and the destructive nature of the fire.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Related Articles: Local and national news archives from March 1946
Aviation Safety Database: Reports on historical incidents involving De Havilland aircraft
Canadian Aviation Museum: Information on the De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide series

Keywords: CF-BNG, De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, Lake Ontario emergency landing, 1946 aviation incident, Montreal to Toronto flight, engine fire, aviation safety.