Lost: True Stories of Canadian Aviation Tragedies

by Shirlee Smith Matheson

What happened to Johnny Bourassa, a former World War II air force hero, en route from Bathurst to Yellowknife? Where is the crew of the famous "Stalin's Falcons"? Are there really "haunted" flight paths in the west over the Canadian Cordillera? Since the earliest days of Canadian air travel there have been ghostly tales, unexplained sightings, and mysterious accidents and disappearances. Now to excite our curiosity and sense of wonder, award-winning author and aviation buff Shirlee Smith Matheson brings the best of these often inexplicable tales together in Lost: True Stories of Canadian Aviation Tragedies. This compelling collection of stories chronicles intriguing aviation anomalies from the shores of Labrador to the British Columbia coast and beyond our aerial borders to describe Canadian participation in bringing resolution to more far-reaching aviation mysteries and disasters. Without exception, the stories are offered in a spirit of respect and reverence for the many lost souls of the flying fraternity From the appearance of underwater phantoms to the disappearance of hockey heroes and veteran northern pilots, these tales of flights and flight plans that have gone terribly wrong all have three things in common - they are true, tragic, and defy human comprehension. Matheson meticulously researched this book in echoing airport hangars, hushed airline offices, and the private homes of key players, surviving family members, and flying associates.

250 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2005

About the author

Shirlee Smith Matheson has written many books for young people and adults, including numerous junior novels and non-fiction works. Currently living and writing in Calgary, she is the author of "Keeper of the Mountains" (Thistledown), "Fastback Reach" (Orca), and "Lost: True Stories of Canadian Aviation Tragedies" (Fifth House).


Shirlee Smith Matheson a native of Winnipeg, has written more than a dozen fiction and non-fiction Canadian adventure books for readers of all ages, bringing to life the stories of real Canadians for young and old alike. During a distinguished writing career that spans more than fifteen years, Matheson has served as a writer-in-residence in several western-Canadian cities, taught numerous courses on writing, and conducted popular writing workshops in schools and libraries across the west.

Reviews

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a living nightmare -- having your loved one's aircraft disappear, never to be found. This collection of true stories about missing aircraft are compelling, and the writing is detailed and well-researched. The author wrote this book originally in 2005 and it has now been republished, complete with new information that has emerged in the past ten years. Happily most of these crashes date back several decades -- one can only hope flying safety has improved in the meantime, or one would never board an aircraft again. Every story is a tragedy, not only for those who died but for those left behind. Congratulations to Shirlee Smith Matheson, a long-time aviation historian, for a fine piece of work.

[Jack Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book filled with neat tales from Canadian aviation history! Must read if you like plane or ever rode on plane

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a living nightmare -- having your loved one's aircraft disappear, never to be found. This collection of true stories about missing aircraft are compelling, and the writing is detailed and well-researched. The author wrote this book originally in 2005 and it has now been republished, complete with new information that has emerged in the past ten years. Happily most of these crashes date back several decades -- one can only hope flying safety has improved in the meantime, or one would never board an aircraft again. Every story is a tragedy, not only for those who died but for those left behind. Congratulations to Shirlee Smith Matheson, a long-time aviation historian, for a fine piece of work.

[Hella Comat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has collected a number of aviation mysteries, mostly in Canada, where airplanes - from small to airliners - have disappeared for no apparent reason, crashed and were never found, or crashed and weren't discovered for decades. Most of the stories take place in BC and some in the north. Fortunately most of these are from years ago, as better training, improved weather forecasting, and locator transmission devices are now required in every airplane. Where there were survivors, she relates the incredible courage and tenacity that allowed them to survive despite the odds.