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Douglas Dakota Aircraft 12930 Crash Memorial

The memorial is located in the center of Dakota Court and consists of a rock with brass plaque on the face of the rock, a flag pole flying a Canadian flag, and park bench. The memorial is maintained by members of 440 (Transport) Squadron, located in Yellowknife, NT.

The crash occurred in the north east corner of continental Northwest Territories, in Tuktut Nogait National Park. The crash site is approximately 110 km east south east of Paulatuk, Northwest Territories.

The plaque features a Douglas Dakota CC-129 aircraft and a Grumman Albatross CSR-110 aircraft.

References/Sources:

https://rcafassociation.ca/heritage/post-war-data/post-war-casualties-rcafcf/

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19711102-0

http://www.rwrwalker.ca/CAF_Dakota_detailed_list.htm

Inscription

GITZEL STREET AND DAKOTA AND ALBATROSS COURTS YELLOWKNIFE, NWT

“GITZEL STREET” HAS BEEN NAMED IN MEMORY OF THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER AND CREW OF CANADIAN ARMED FORCES DAKOTA AIRCRAFT NUMBER 12930 WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES WHILE ON A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION AT 69° 13.5′ NORTH LATITUDE 121° 21.5′ WEST LONGITUDE ON THE 2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1971.

CAPTAIN S. GITZEL

CAPTAIN P. HODGES

CAPTAIN C. HEALEY

CAPTAIN L. COOPER

LIEUTENANT D. SMART

SERGEANT J. LEMIEUX

CORPORAL W. PLATT

CORPORAL R. VOODEN

“DAKOTA” AND “ALBATROSS” COURTS HAVE BEEN NAMED IN RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTION TO SEARCH AND RESCUE MADE BY DAKOTA AND ALBATROSS AIRCRAFT AND CREWS OF THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES.

“THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”

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