Sticky Situation

At 0940 local on July 13, five of us aboard C-GFBR lifted off from runway 16 at Greenbank Airport (CNP8) near Uxbridge, Ontario.

 

The Antonov An-2PD-5 biplane's 1,000 horsepower radial engine quickly got us up to 3,000 feet, then the cabin began filling with smoke.

 

From my seat at the rear of the cabin, I saw that the cockpit windows were coated with engine oil. The aircraft's owner and pilot told us that we had to return to Greenbank. Using the sliding windows on each side of the cockpit, he skillfully navigated us back to the airport.

 

This photo was taken as we descended through 1,800 feet at 0950.

 

Upon touching down on 16 at 0953, the aircraft slid uncontrollably (thanks to oil coated tires) off the 2,700 grass strip into a culvert before slamming into the embankment that borders the airfield.

 

We all sustained minor cuts and bruises, but exited the aircraft before numerous fire trucks, ambulances and police cars arrived.

 

Details about the accident are available here:

asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/408705

 

 

Done