SIMPSON AIR, LTD.: P. O. Box 260, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, X0E 0N0, Canada; Phone (403) 695-2505; Fax (403) 6952925; Year Founded 1979. This small carrier is formed in 1979 to offer passenger and cargo charters and contract services from bases at Cambridge Bay and Fort Simpson as well as scheduled frequencies linking Wrigley with Fort Simpson, Fort Nelson, and Fort Lizard and Na-hanni with Butte, Montana. The initial fleet comprises 4 Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders. In 1981, President W. T. Tweed’s company employs 28 personnel.
By 1986, airline employment stands at 12 and the fleet is upgraded to comprise 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6-100 Twin Otter, 1 Islander, 3 Cessna 185s, 1 Piper PA-23 Aztec, and 1 Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six.
Although operations continue apace in 1987-1988, the latter year is tragic. On October 16, a newly acquired Beech King Air 90 with three aboard, crashes 1.5 mi. short of the runway on approach to Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories; there are no survivors. Already in financial difficulty, the accident forces the company to cease scheduled flying in 1989.
The fleet in March 1990 includes 1 leased Beech 99 and 1 each DHC-6-100 and DHC-6-200. By 1994, the company is performing its charters with only 1 DHC-6-100 Twin Otter. The single aircraft continues to provide total company lift during the next three years.
Flights continue in 1995-1999, during which years the Twin Otter is replaced with a pair of Cessna 206s.
World History
