North-Wright Airways
North-Wright Airways or North Wright Air is an airline based in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates commuter services to several communities in the Northwest Territories as well as charter services. Their main base is Norman Wells Airport and they also operate the Norman Wells Water Aerodrome which is used for floatplane operations.
History
North-Wright Airways was established in 1986 and was previously known, since 1979, as Nahanni Air Services and North Wright Air.Destinations
As of July 2024, North-Wright Airways serves the following destinations:Fleet
As of July 2024, North-Wright operates at least nine aircraft and has sixteen registered with Transport Canada:| Aircraft | No. of aircraft TC | No. of aircraft NWL | Variants | Notes |
| Beechcraft 1900 | 4 | 5 | 1900D | Up to 19 passengers |
| Cessna 185 | 1 | — | 185F | 3 passengers, float and ski capable, not listed at North-Wright site |
| Cessna 206 | 2 | n/a | U206 | 5 passengers ski/floats |
| Cessna 207 | 2 | n/a | 207A Skywagon/Stationair 8 | 5 or 6 passengers |
| Cessna 208 Grand Caravan | 2 | 2 | 208B | 9 passengers, scheduled service |
| 3 | 2 | 1 - Series 100 1 - Series 300 | 16 to 18 passengers | |
| Helio Courier | 1 | — | H-295 | 4 passengers, tundra tyres or wheel/skis, not listed at North-Wright site |
| Pilatus PC-6 Porter | 1 | 1 | PC-6/B-H2 | Up to 10 passengers |
| Total | 16 | At least 11 | - | - |
Several of the above aircraft types can be configured for floatplane operations from lakes or rivers in addition to being operated as landplanes using conventional runways or airstrips.
Accidents
- On 5 July 2004, a Twin Otter, C-FMOL, was departing a gravel runway just off the Canol Road west of Norman Wells. As they took off the aircraft was caught by a sudden crosswind and returned to the runway where the left wheel caught some willows that were growing onto the airstrip. The aircraft went off the end of the strip and the wing became detached. No one was killed or injured
- On 14 September 2005, a Cessna 207, C-FAWL, left Tulita Airport for Norman Wells. About the aircraft, with one pilot and two passengers, went down into the muskeg and flipped over. The passengers were uninjured but the pilot had serious injuries.
- On 16 August 2006, a Cessna 337, C-FWHP, was flying from Fort Good Hope Airport to Norman Wells with one pilot and five passengers. the aircraft went overdue and a search was begun. The wreckage was found about east of Fort Good Hope. All passengers and the pilot were killed.
- On 16 July 2008, a Twin Otter was on final for Hook Lake when the aircraft stalled. The aircraft hit some trees near the shore of the lake but neither pilot was injured.
- On 20 May 2010, the wing of a Cessna 207, that was flying at a low altitude at Fort Good Hope Airport hit another North-Wright pilot. The pilot on the ground, William Bleach, who was filming at the time, died three days later. Parker James Butterfield, who was flying the C207, was sentenced to nine months and suspended from flying for two years.