While flying westbound at an airspeed of 189 knots and tracking the Green One airway the C-4 North Star crew reported their position over Regina, Saskatchewan at 09:52.

After departing RCAF Station Moose Jaw 4.5 miles south of the town, Thorrat set his heading to 022 degrees and began climbing to his target altitude of 9,000 feet at 108 knots.

Approximately eight seconds after the collision, the C-4 North Star's forward fuselage fell on a home demolishing it and creating an inferno, killing its single occupant.

[2] The Canadian built C-4 North Star, a V-12 engine derivative of the Douglas DC-4, carried manufacturer's serial number 150 and had its preliminary test flight on June 16, 1949.

Canadian Pacific Airlines took delivery of the propliner on July 11, 1949 where it was named Empress of Hong Kong, registered CF-CPP and issued fleet number 404.

After examining all available evidence, they determined the most likely accident sequence: The Harvard struck the North Star with its propeller and starboard wing near the airliner's No.1 engine, rupturing the outboard fuel tank and causing an explosion.

The Harvard's engine separated from its airframe and entered the passenger seating area, while the remaining bulk of the trainer sliced off the airliner's empennage.

The severely damaged airliner continued westbound briefly, then pitched nose down and entered an almost vertical spiraling descent, as passengers and luggage were expelled from the large opening in the rear of the fuselage.