ODDS’N’SODS — A `ground loop’ to remember

Aircraft were used extensively by Canada Tungsten in the development of its tungsten mine at Flat River, N.W.T. We had many exceptional bush pilots in our aircraft charters and finally we settled on Bud Harbottle, a noted northern flyer, to handle our traffic.

To facilitate the traffic buildup, we purchased a “worn out” and retired war-time Anson Mark V Trainer, which had been used to haul fish in Manitoba. The aircraft was delivered to Calgary for an overhaul, then flown to us at Watson Lake along with adequate spare parts. Harbottle was experienced in flying single-engine aircraft but was not ticketed for multi-engine craft. We contracted Gordie Barsch, a well-known pilot instructor, and the two men hit it off, so that Harbottle was soon certified and handling the Anson Mark V himself.

The flight route to the mine site from Watson Lake traversed several mountain areas and encountered frequent “weather belts” wherein local storms of rain, hail, sleet, or dense cloud and fog could impede normal traffic patterns. I remember returning to Watson Lake with Harbottle in the Anson Mark V. We were enjoying a smooth journey, cruising at mountain-top level on a lovely summer day. As we neared Watson lake, I was almost asleep in the co-pilot’s seat. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and shouted, “Hang on and keep your eyes on the beacon tower on the right!”

I was jolted upright as the plane suddenly dove nose-first toward the ground, with Harbottle pulling desperately on the controls to bring the aircraft back to stable flight to avoid impact with the ground. The beacon tower sped by on my right and Harbottle wrenched the plane to the left to avoid near-certain contact. Rain and sleet beat against the windows and obscured our vision. Suddenly, we were through the storm path and on a clear, smooth course to the landing strip.

I tried to collect myself and glanced at Harbottle. He grinned and said, “Now you can tell them you have done a ground loop.”

I never experienced another ground loop while travelling with my favorite pilot. I did, however, always request a detailed weather schedule when we flew together. Harbottle called me a “worrywart” (among other names). Yet, in spite of our near-misadventure, I never lost my confidence in him. — S.J. Hunter, a retired mining engineer and regular contributor, resides in Vancouver.