871

C-GPVB on the Tyee Spit.
Photo: Rod Hall © December 2010
C-GPVB repaired and modernized after storm damage.
Bill Alder of Sealand oversees the launch.
Photos: John Caswell © 06 July 2007
C-GPVB operating with Air Nootka at Gold River, BC.
Photos: John Caswell © 16 July 2006
C-GPVB dockside Alliford Bay, Queen Charlottes.
Photo: Bill Hann © Summer 2000
C-GPVB back in the water.
Photo: Geoff Mcdonell © August 1993 - Aird Archives
C-GPVB lost amongst floats.
Photo: John Kimberley © June 1993

871

54-1722 • N9253Z

C-GPVB

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54-1722 US Army #1565. L-20 No. 566. Command A-6. Delivered 09-Mar-1956. Built as L-20A and re-designated U-6A in 1962.

54-1722 Stored at MASDC., Davis Monthan AFB., AZ. 07-Apr-1972 to 08-Mar-1976. PCN (Product Control Number) HS156. As this is a USAF code presumably transferred to the USAF inventory. Wearing Arctic colour scheme

N9253Z Karen K. Graves / Graves Aircraft Co., Yukon. OK. Regd 08-Mar-1976.

Note: Purchased by Graves at the Davis Monthan auction sale on 29-Jan-1976.for $23,000US. Purchased on the basis of "no reasonable potential for normal certification”. Total time 5,585.3 hours. Engine hrs unknown. Comment at time of auction: old struts, white paint scheme, four seats, and average condition.

C-GPVB Imported into Canada. Regd Oct-1976.

C-GPVB Centralia Aircraft, Orangeville, ON. Dates currently unknown.

C-GPVB Pelley Enterprises Ltd.,  Springdale. NL. Regd prior to Certificate of Airworthiness renewal dated 04-Oct-1977. Canx date currently unknown.

C-GPVB Wentzell’s Flying Service, Corner Brook, NL. Regd prior to Certificate of Airworthiness renewal dated 04-Oct-1977. Canx prior to Cert of Airworthiness renewal dated 04-Oct-1978.

C-GPVB Straits Air Ltd.,  Springdale, NL. Regd prior to Certificate of Airworthiness renewal dated 04-Oct-1978. Canx date currently unknown.

C-GPVB Dougan Logging Ltd., Sayward, BC. Based at Campbell River, BC. Regd 05-Dec-1979. Canx 18-Oct-1989.

C-GPVB Orca Air (1987) Ltd., Port McNeill, BC. Regd 18-Oct-1989. Canx 21-Mar-1991.

C-GPVB Gynn Bay logging Ltd., (Western Straits Air), Campbell River, BC. Regd 21-Mar-1991. Canx 27-Jun-1994.

C-GPVB Orca Air (1987) Port McNeill, BC. Regd 27-Jun-1994. Canx 06-Mar-1995.

C-GPVB 444316 B C Ltd., (Air Rainbow Mid Coast)  Port McNeill, BC. Regd 22-Mar-1995. Canx 03-Jun-1996.

C-GPVB Inland Air Charters, Prince Rupert, BC. Regd 19-Aug-1996.

C-GPVB Leased to South Moresby Air Charters, Queen Charlotte City, BC. Summer 2000. Canx 19-Sep-2001. Re-regd 19-Sep-2001.

C-GPVB Inland Air Charters, Prince Rupert, BC. Re-regd 19-Sep-2001. Canx 15-Dec-2003.

C-GPVB South Moresby Air Charters, Queen Charlotte City, BC. Regd 18-Dec-2003. Canx 24-Apr-2006.

C-GPVB Air Nootka, Gold River, BC. Regd 24-Apr-2006. Canx. 10-Feb-2011. Regd 23 Feb-2011.  Canx and delete from register 03-Sep-2013.

Incident: Aircraft sank in severe-storm, salvaged and transported to Sealand Aviation Ltd., Campbell River, BC., on or about 21-Nov-2006. Active again 06-Jul-2007.

Photos: Rod Millie © 20 November 2006

Accident: 3 nm W Hesquiat Lake, British Columbia.16 August 2013. At 10:15 Pacific Daylight Time, the de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver) floatplane departed Hesquiat Lake, British Columbia, with the pilot and 5 passengers for Air Nootka Limited's water aerodrome base near Gold River, British Columbia. Visibility at Hesquiat Lake was about 2 ½ nautical miles in rain, and the cloud ceiling was about 400 feet above lake and sea level. Approximately 3 nautical miles west of the lake, while over Hesquiat Peninsula, the aircraft struck a tree top at about 800 feet above sea level and crashed. Shortly after the aircraft came to rest, a post-crash fire developed. All 6 persons on board survived the impact, but the pilot and 1 passenger died shortly after. A brief 406 megahertz emergency locator transmitter signal was transmitted, and a search and rescue helicopter recovered the survivors at about 16:00.

Stored

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