Disaster Strikes As Buffalo Airways C-46 Plane's Engine Is Shredded | Ice Pilots NWT | Wonder

This season of Ice Pilots NWT, the harshest winter in 22 years is causing havoc for the operations run from Buffalo Airways. From collapsing planes to slipping on ice, every job is made far more difficult with this unprecedented cold snap.

Buffalo Airways is an airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. They mainly fly WWII-era piston powered propeller planes in minus 40 degrees and land on tiny strips of tarmac in the tundra.

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[WitchidWitchid]

When you are that far up north, saying "this is the coldest winter in 22 years" is quite a powerful statement.

[almac]

Spent 50 yrs in aviation maintenance. Two things stand out. Too much pressure and a lapse in tool control. It happens, but luckily no injuries and hopefully lessons learned.

[scrappyny]

I hate to say it but back in the 90's when I was an aircraft mechanic it was an unwritten rule that we never put our name/initials on our tools.

[luisv]

All you guys are the other type of Heroes...God bless you and protect you all.

[robslade]

I feel bad for Chuck. We are all human and make mistakes. Ours just don't end that badly.

[Agwings]

Such a fantastic series, in the north country roads are not even remotely practical, therefor aviation has to pick up the slack, it's the same way in Alaska. Unlike the lower 48 in the states, aviation is necessary in the north country, and that makes a world of difference for the respect you carry for the skill of these people.

[maytagmark]

The jug splitting is the usual problems with parts failing. And as the parts get older the problems will keep getting worse. As for tools getting lost or misplaced, damn straight it should not happen. But with small private-commercial carriers pressures are interesting to say the least. Always some one standing over you demanding you do a 3 day job in 1 or 2 so things can and do get overlooked. I know every one expects perfect, but no one can deliver, No one. I hope Chuck is doing well.

[brandonerickson]

He may have a temper at times but Chuck is a good soul, we all make mistakes and I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts and guilt he was processing :/

[therickman]

Madness to still be brushing wings by hand, the risk of slipping, falling and breaking bones is big. Takes about 1 or 2 accidents before a second hand or even a DIY deicing truck is cheaper

[incremental_failure]

Imagine that all the people who built that aircraft are long dead but it's still flying. Rare for mechanical stuff.

[mafalda]

Des hommes dans des conditions difficiles !! qui doivent régler le problème des réparations et tout cela a un cout, malheureusement !! Souhaitons leurs la force et le courage de le faire ...Tous mes encouragements ...

[JohnWilson-nusq]

My dad was a member of Chennault’s 14th AF, 322nd Troop Carrier Squadron. During his travel to Kunming, China he missed his ship out of Oran, Algiers. A good thing for him, the HMT Rhona was sunk in the mediterranean by a luftwaffe launched radio controlled bomb with loss of about 1, 000 Americans. He finally made it to India by himself and flew the hump on a C46. The pilots aborted take off twice because of fouled plugs and dad and the pilots changed all spark plugs twice. They made it out on their third try. Dad made it home after the war in December of 1945, by ship into San Francisco. He’s gone now but Im sure if he could see one these old C 46 Commandos it would have put a smile on his face.

[thomasjordan]

Not just anyone would take on the rigors involved in Arctic operation of antique equipment.

[maryhines]

Heated hangars cost a million bucks, opening the hangar door costs a million bucks, deicing costs a million bucks, busted airplanes cost a million bucks. Cold weather operations are just tough. Nothing good happens at -40.

[jaredlazaron]

The unfortunate outcome of complacency. Watching Chuck as many years as I have... we can rest assured that it's not going to happen again.

[tonytrott]

Another issue is that these aircraft are operating in extreme cold and estreme cold will affect the metal over time and possibly cause issues that the designe engineers never allowed for. to prevent this kind of issue of tools left in the aircraft the ground crew should implement the kind of system that hospital surgeries use where every tool every swab etc is counted before and after any work done.

[patton]

“I have a feeling something is wrong”.
Yeah bud, I trust your instincts.

[rogerhuber]

Surprised Joe didn't fire Chuck! I wish trhe videos could be seen in order. People come and go, planes come and go but there's no continuity. It gets confusing.

[ppppppp]

I know this stuff can happen, but there are safety systems for this. Tool controle Before and after the job.

[jhaedtler]

I have seen 985's and 1340 cylinders break like that. Problem is the chrome process. They soak it in acid and the acid cracks start where the steel meets the aluminium. I wish some one would make new jugs!