Canso Plane Crash Site

Canso 11007 is a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A flying boat that came down on a wooded hillside just south of Radar Hill. Much of its fuselage and wing remains among the trees. Go for the unusual aircraft wreck and its history; the visit is a rough forest walk, not a viewpoint.

Start at the lower Radar Hill parking area and follow the paved multi-use path south before entering the woods. The crash-site route is informal and lightly marked, so save directions and avoid the highway shoulder. A route estimate is about 2 km round trip and 1 to 1½ hours; route-finding and wet ground can stretch that.

Bog, roots, logs and uneven ground are common, with a short, steep climb to the wreck. Wear sturdy shoes; this is not a wheelchair or stroller route. Bring water and a snack because there is no food service at the site. Stay on the ground around the old aircraft; do not climb on or into a wreck that may be unstable.

During the Second World War, 11007 took off from RCAF Tofino on a flight toward Alliford Bay. Its port engine failed shortly after departure; it struck trees while turning back, but all 12 people aboard survived.

The small, nearly round pond beside the wreck is the crater left when rescuers removed depth charges from the aircraft and detonated them nearby. It is a second trace of the crash, separate from the airframe still lying in the forest.