Mt. Ptolemy, AB Plane Crashes, Jan 1946

SEARCH IS LAUNCHED FOR MISSING PLANE.

R.C.A.F. DAKOTA PLANE WITH SEVEN OCCUPANTS LOST BETWEEN CRANBROOK AND LETHBRIDGE -- PLANES FROM W.A.C. AND N.W. AIR COMMAND TAKE PART IN SEARCH.

An intensive search over mountainous terrain is being pushed today for a missing R.C.A.F. Dakota transport aircraft last reported over Cranbrook, B.C.
at 3:30 a.m. M.S.T., en route from Vancouver to Winnipeg via Lethbridge.
It is understood the aircraft carried seven aboard and it is feared it has crashed or grounded in the rugged mountain region east of Cranbrook.
All available aircraft in Western Air Command and Northwest Air Command have been ordered into the search. No planes took off from the Lethbridge base as there was none available.
The aircraft, being ferried from the coast to Winnipeg, was eight hours overdue here when the last report was received that no trace of the Dakota had been found.
When the machine reported at Cranbrook it had a four hours' gasoline supply.
The aircraft reported at that time that its altitude was 11,000 feet and Western Air Command officials in Vancouver stated that if it held that height for a short time longer it would clear the last range of mountains, which reach to 9,000 feet.
A specially-trained R.C.A.F. parachute rescue squadron was standing by in Vancouver should the plane be discovered, and in Calgary, a detachment
of mountain troops was alterted.

Cranbrook, B.C. -- (HNS) -- Two planes from Western Air Command landed at the Cranbrook airport today and are now pressing the search for the missing R.C.A.F. aircraft, reported hours overdue on a trip from the coast to Winnipeg. The terrain north of Cranbrook seems to be the area immediately under survey but up to an early hour Saturday afternoon the aircraft had not been spotted in this region. The next range station east is Cowley, Alta. The missing craft was reported over Cranbrook at about 3:25 this morning travelling east. It is understood to be one of a number being ferried east.

Winnipeg, Jan. 19. -- (CP) -- Royal Canadian Air Force officials have launched a search for one of their Dakota planes, missing on a flight from Vancouver to Winnipeg, air force authorities revealed here today.
The plane due to arrive at Winnipeg at 8:11 a.m. C.S.T. was last reported over Cranbrook, B.C., at 4:28 a.m. Number of men aboard the missing plane is unknown.

Vancouver, Jan. 19. -- (CP) -- Western Air Command here announced today a search is being carried out for an R.C.A.F. Dakota twin-engined aircraft, carrying a crew of seven, reported overdue between Cranbrook and Lethbridge, Alta. The plane was on a flight from Vancouver to Winnipeg.
Western Air Command said the aircraft was last reported heading east over Cranbrook at 2:30 a.m. P.S.T. All available aircraft in Western Air Command and Northwest Air Command have been mobilized for the search. A parachute rescue squadron and experienced Canadian army mounted
troops are standing by in case they may be required.

Lethbridge Herald Alberta 1946-01-19

List Of the Casualties:
Flying Officer ROBERT HUYCKE WATT.
Flying Officer JAMES LEONARD NORRIS.
Flight Lieutenant WILLIAM JOSEPH WOODS.
Flight Lieutenant WILLIAM JAMES SEALEY.
Sergeant VERNON RUPERT DUCKLOW.
Leading Aircraftsman DANIEL LEVY.
Leading Aircraftsman RICHARD BROCKWELL LOWE.

__________________

Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!