Mayday on the Mountain
In 1944, four Canadian Airforce trainees embark on a navigational training mission from an airbase in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They take off in zero visibility, high winds and driving rain. Due to a rookie navigational mistake the plane was not over it's intended small town destination, but in fact over top the Riding Mountain National Park. The plane came out of the clouds and crashed into the forest. The pilot dead and second navigator near death, the radio operator must use his wilderness knowledge to hike himself and a hysterical lead navigator miles out of the bush on his fractured leg to find help for the remaining trainee alone at the crash site. As time ticks on, the second navigator rolls into a six inch pool of water face down. With half of his bones broken he is unable to get himself out of the water and resorts to bobbing his head to stay alive. After figuring out which way they needed to hike, the radio operator blazes a trail with a safety hatchet across untamed wilderness in foggy rainy conditions. After several setbacks, seven miles and a terribly swollen leg, by luck, they come across a lone farmer in field as they leave the forest. Once in town they gather together a search party which goes into the night to try and find the crash. After 12 hours, the crash site is reached and the second navigator is pulled from an icy pool of water. A true story of survival against incredible odds.
- Runtime
- 37m
- Released
- 2013
Details
Release year: 2013
Storyline
In 1944, four Canadian Airforce trainees embark on a navigational training mission from an airbase in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They take off in zero visibility, high winds and driving rain. Due to a rookie navigational mistake the plane was not over it's intended small town destination, but in fact over top the Riding Mountain National Park. The plane came out of the clouds and crashed into the forest. The pilot dead and second navigator near death, the radio operator must use his wilderness knowledge to hike himself and a hysterical lead navigator miles out of the bush on his fractured leg to find help for the remaining trainee alone at the crash site. As time ticks on, the second navigator rolls into a six inch pool of water face down. With half of his bones broken he is unable to get himself out of the water and resorts to bobbing his head to stay alive. After figuring out which way they needed to hike, the radio operator blazes a trail with a safety hatchet across untamed wilderness in foggy rainy conditions. After several setbacks, seven miles and a terribly swollen leg, by luck, they come across a lone farmer in field as they leave the forest. Once in town they gather together a search party which goes into the night to try and find the crash. After 12 hours, the crash site is reached and the second navigator is pulled from an icy pool of water. A true story of survival against incredible odds.
Top credits
- Trevor Barker — Navigator Webb
- Christopher Beyette — Hugh Mcrae
- Elgin Beyette — RCMP Officer
- Brady Chyzyk — Ray Lawrence