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Why?
We’ll never know.
The official accident report: “Probable Cause: Undetermined.”
The aircraft took off Gander’s Runway 14 (now Runway 13), at 0510 Greenwich Mean Time (2:40 a.m. local time) on Sept. 5, 1967, flew for 32 seconds in which it climbed to approximately 125 feet at the end of the runway and made a shallow descent. Impact occurred at 4,000 feet beyond the end of the runway with the aircraft nose-down about six degrees with the wings level.
The multibillion dollar aircraft was an IIyushin IL-18D (turboprop) operated by Czechoslovakia State Airlines. Of the 69 passengers and crew, 32 died immediately and three later — 34 survived. Some of the survivors were saved because of Austin Garrett, who flew a helicopter for several hours evacuating the injured. In recognition of what he did that night, he was made an Officer of the British Empire, awarded the Centennial Medal, and had a Gander street named in his honor.
It may seem that after 43 years, the memory of this horrific event would fade. But the lone tower controller on duty that night remembers it all too well. Jack Pinsent came to work at midnight.
“Working 12-8 alone. Arrived on shift for a long night with a good book to fight the boredom. Czech arrived. On the tarmac waiting for departure. Issued taxi instructions and take off clearance. Called ACC (Area Control Centre) with departure time after airborne. My last words to the aircraft were to call Gander Centre on 119.7. I still remember the moment of impact. I was standing looking out at the aircraft's nav lights ensuring he was up and flying before I flipped off the runway lights. The last words spoken from me were, "Contact Gander Centre 119.7, goodnight" and the aircraft replied ‘Roger, 119.7 Goodnight.” Instantly, as he said 'Goodnight,' there was brilliant light as he seemed to explode. It was quite obvious that the crew was not aware they were about to crash.“A janitor asked if he could hide away up with me in the tower. He said he was throwing up from looking at the survivors as they came in.” - Jack Pinsent
“Complete shock and bewilderment. I came to my senses, hit the crash alarm, called the ACC to advise of the crash as well as the crash crew. The firehall doors seemed to open as I was giving the crash location.
“Called hospital. Phone call from Gerry Vokey in Allied Aviation. I told him I was real busy and would get back to him. Hung up and called him right back. I forgot Allied was next on my crash call list. Hospital (Nurse Sully) called asking if we needed more medical help. Replied 'negative. Didn't think anyone survived.’ Big mistake.
“Crash crew called in, saying we have survivors, send more doctors and morphine. Called hospital back and repeated the message. Called Millard Ganong (Chief Controller, Tower) at home for help. He arrived within minutes. EPA Helicopter, with Austin Garrett, called for departure clearance to the ramp to pick up medical people and supplies for the crash site.
“I think about calling CNR to stop the west bound train in Gambo because of the crash. The train arrived every night around 0400. A missing item in our crash procedures — the aircraft had destroyed a section of the railway. Austin is starting his ferry rescue bringing injured survivors from crash site to terminal ramp. Ambulances ferried them to hospital. EPA was on approach. Given R22 to avoid rescue area. FT (Frank Tibbo) on radar. Issued landing clearance. Real busy. Herb Grey from Universal Helicopters calls wanting to help. Helicopter had no nav lights and it was still pitch dark. Called Garrett for his opinion. He said no sweat as far he was concerned. I told Herb, air regs be dammed — aircraft prohibited to fly at night without navigation lights. Told him what Austin was doing and to keep out of his flight path, and I would pass traffic as often as possible.
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