On a fateful April morning, tense skies over Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan bore witness to one of Canada's deadliest aviation disasters when a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Canadair Harvard collided with a Trans-Canada Airlines Canadair North Star. The collision occurred during a routine training mission involving the Harvard, a well-known military training aircraft, as it engaged in standard flight operations designed to prepare pilots for advanced flying techniques. Meanwhile, the North Star was a popular post-war passenger aircraft, transporting civilians across Canadian skies.

Both aircraft were operating in the same vicinity when the tragic accident unfolded, leading to catastrophic consequences. The Harvard, being significantly smaller than the North Star, was struck in mid-air, resulting in an immediate loss of control. Eyewitnesses reported that the collision resulted in a massive fireball as both aircraft plummeted to the ground. Tragically, all 37 individuals on board the North Star perished, alongside the RCAF pilot.

The incident raised questions pertaining to air traffic control and the safety protocols that govern civilian and military flights within shared airspace. In the aftermath, investigations were launched to determine the exact circumstances that led to the crash, highlighting the need for better communication and coordination in the already complex airspace systems of the time.