Buffalo scrambles to deliver Christmas cargo | Ice Pilots NWT S06E01 | Go Xplorer

It’s Buffalo’s busiest winter yet, and they roll out the C-46, TXW, to fly all the freight up the Mackenzie Valley. But when one of TXW’s engines catches fire, Buffalo scrambles to find a backup plane in time for Christmas deliveries. They look to their newly purchased Electra, XFC, to fill the void, but Adam, Chuck, Brian and Mikey discover it has a cracked windshield and cannot be flown safely. Joe, Brian and Cory fly to meet Rod in Red Deer to grab a replacement windshield. When they arrive, Joe first reveals his other plans-he wants the second Electra ZFE dug out of the snowbank where it’s been sitting for months and get it up and running so that it can replace XFC on the Valley run. Rod’s upset that he wasn’t given more notice, and unloads on Mikey about Joe’s reactionary management style. Back in Yellowknife, Buffalo’s newest rampie, Prefkar Mony, is a determined young pilot from India who’s got his eyes on flying Joe’s prize planes. But first he has to adjust to life in the North-and purchasing proper winter gear is the first thing on his list.

[@MarumKatze]

The usual lack of forethought. "Oh. I'll just pick up the Electra while I am down there." These bods have the perspicacity of a stuffed codfish. Even in our climate. I run up engines a few days before our wet season starts. Then rug them up again. Queensland may not be as cold, but trying to start an engine which haven't been run for months, in the middle of a tropical cyclone, isn't easy either. ie. auxiliary generators and pumps, and other machinery, and vehicles. Regards....Marum.

[@USAIRFORCE621]

If you look at the amount of engine problems/crashes, engine overhauls, hydraulic problems etc, its a miracle no Buffalo aircrew were seriously injured in any of the mishaps, no wonder Transport Canada wanted to close em down, and nowadays they can only haul freight no passengers whatsoever anymore! Don't get me wrong I'm a huge fan of the old piston pounders, hell you can't beat the sound of a radial motoring down a runway but safety is far more important than reputation or pride!

[@P-J-W-777]

It’s no wonder the federal government was looking to shut them down. A typical owner wanting things done “right now” and skipping over a lot of safety steps or not giving the crews enough notice to get things ready or done. Ultimately it’s what leads to accidents and has caused serious injuries and deaths throughout the years. You see it in aviation and in the trucking industry every day.

[@dk2428]

How not to approach aviation: this episode

[@billb7876]

Why do the Buffalo crew not have speed braces to take multiple screws out, a lot quicker than screwdrivers

[@peanutbutterisfu]

The window should have been removed before the new window got there so it could have been put right in

[@QuantumStellar]

At Rickety Stix Airlines, there is no such thing as too old, too young, or too far! and cordless drills are for stupid people!