Chesley Tibbo and Michael Rideout -- both from Newfoundland -- walked away from a downed airplane during a December snowstorm in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, nearly three years ago.

"He found it very difficult after the crash to travel," said Ann Rideout, Michael's wife of 41 years. "He did his best to overcome the fear."

Rideout and Tibbo were among 12 people killed Saturday when the First Air plane they were travelling in crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut.

Three others are recovering from injuries.

It was the third crash Rideout had been involved in, his grieving wife said, adding he was also involved in a Labrador crash 30 years ago.

Despite his aversion to planes, the grandfather of six flew to Nunuvat regularly for work, though this was due to be his last trip.

He was planning on retiring this December.

"He was a loving man - the love of my life," Ann said. "He meant everything to me."

Following the 2008 crash, Tibbo posted a picture to his Facebook page and commented on the crash.

"I'll never forget that night," he wrote.

And as for Rideout, he knew every time he stepped onto a plane, fate was out of his hands.

"He told me, 'There's no guarantee you're going to reach your destination,'" said Ann. "He always knew that something could happen, never believing that it would,"