Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Harvard
- Type: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates unknown
- Original Owners: Royal Canadian Air Force
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft
Description
This aircraft, the exact type unconfirmed in your note but consistent with RCAF types in late 1941 (likely an Avro Anson, Northrop Nomad, or similar trainer), was on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force between October 1940 and February 1942.
Category A damage under RCAF classification meant the aircraft was completely destroyed or deemed beyond economic repair.
History
On 12 December 1941, the aircraft was on a routine flight training mission over Lake Ontario when it encountered severe weather, becoming disoriented. After losing bearings, the aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario. The loss was classified Category A, indicating a total write-off, and the aircraft was formally struck off strength on 25 February 1942.
No further details about the crew or possible survivors are specified here, but many of these training losses were fatal due to cold water exposure in Lake Ontario.
Significant Incidents
- Crash occurred on 12 December 1941 during a routine training flight.
- Aircraft encountered severe weather leading to disorientation and subsequent crash.
Final Disposition
The aircraft was declared a total loss and struck off RCAF records. No recovery was reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no documentation of a recovery or modern survey identifying this particular wreck site, and it is most likely resting on the bottom of Lake Ontario in an unlocated state.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”harvard-2612-north-american-harvard-mk-ii-na-66-66-2345″ title=”References & Links”]
This crash highlights the significant hazards faced by RCAF training crews during the Second World War, especially when weather conditions over the Great Lakes could deteriorate rapidly. The aircraft, lost with Category A damage, is part of the history of Commonwealth Air Training Plan accidents in the region.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
RCAF Aircraft Incident — Lake Ontario (1941)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft
- Registration: Records suggest Category A damage (write-off)
- First date on strength: 17 October 1940
- Final date on strength: 25 February 1942 (struck off)
- Date of crash: 12 December 1941
- Location: Lake Ontario (exact coordinates unknown)
- Disposition: Total loss (Category A damage)
Description
This aircraft, the exact type unconfirmed in your note but consistent with RCAF types in late 1941 (likely an Avro Anson, Northrop Nomad, or similar trainer), was on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force between October 1940 and February 1942.
Category A damage under RCAF classification meant the aircraft was completely destroyed or deemed beyond economic repair.
History
On 12 December 1941, the aircraft was on a routine flight training mission over Lake Ontario when it encountered severe weather, becoming disoriented. After losing bearings, the aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario. The loss was classified Category A, indicating a total write-off, and the aircraft was formally struck off strength on 25 February 1942.
No further details about the crew or possible survivors are specified here, but many of these training losses were fatal due to cold water exposure in Lake Ontario.
Final Dispositions
The aircraft was declared a total loss and struck off RCAF records. No recovery was reported.
Located By & Date Found
There is no documentation of a recovery or modern survey identifying this particular wreck site, and it is most likely resting on the bottom of Lake Ontario in an unlocated state.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted.
Resources & Links
- Library and Archives Canada — Service Records
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes (for air losses over water)
- Canadian Warplane Heritage
Conclusion
This crash highlights the significant hazards faced by RCAF training crews during the Second World War, especially when weather conditions over the Great Lakes could deteriorate rapidly. The aircraft, lost with Category A damage, is part of the history of Commonwealth Air Training Plan accidents in the region.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- RCAF
- Category A
- Lake Ontario
- WWII
- air crash
- training accident
- Avro Anson (possible)
- Northrop Nomad (possible)
- Canadian military aviation