De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Port McNeill, Vancouver island, BC. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot took off from the Simplot Ranch Airstrip which was located beside the middle fork of the Salmon River, approximately 27 miles northwest of Challis, ID. He departed downriver toward the northeast, but the destination was a usfs strip about 7 miles upriver to the southwest. A course reversal normally would have been made about 6 miles downriver. However, a turn-around was attempted over a relatively shallow (bench) area on the west side of the river, about 1-1/4 mi from the departure strip; where, according to the operator, it could have been made under ideal conditions. The aircraft crashed in the bench area while on a westerly heading. It came to rest in an upright attitude with little evidence of forward velocity, but with severe vertical collapse. No evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction or failure was found. All four occupants were killed.

The aircraft got into a downdraft and collided with hilly terrain. The pilot stated that he was spotting caribou and settled into the side of a hill. According to the passengers the aircraft was about 300 feet agl prior to the descent to ground contact. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

The pilot, sole on board, was taking part to an airshow at RAF Culdrose, Cornwall. While completing a 360 turn at low height, one of the wing struck the ground and the airplane crashed. The pilot was killed.

The single engine airplane entered an area of heavy rain falls when the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed about 10 km north of Baie-Comeau. All five occupants were killed.

The pilot was attempting to take off from a confined lake. The aircraft was near maximum weight and the temperature was high. He had planned a “go, no go” position and reported that the aircraft was on the step by this point. He realised himself that the takeoff would be successful. The pilot initiated a climb before a safe speed was reached and the aircraft did not accelerate properly. In order to avoid high terrain the pilot commenced a turn to the right. The aircraft began to mush and then stalled on the lake surface. The passengers stated that because there were no seats available they sat on top of the cargo.
Source: www.dhc-2.com

The float plane was observed on take-off and initial climb before it disappeared behind a point of land. Shortly after, it impacted the surface of the lake in a left wing low attitude with considerable slip to the left. Reports describing the noises coming from the engine immediately before impact, are conflicting. Examination of the propeller indicated there was little or no power being developed at impact. Engine examination indicated it capable of producing power at impact. (lp 233/83 refers). The aircraft was fitted with an external fuel tank underneath the fuselage, but the log books and the weight and balance did not reflect this addition. An unapproved bench was installed in the centre cabin area, and the aircraft had no visible means of load restraint.
Source: www.dhc.2.com

The crew (on student pilot and one instructor) was completing a local training flight at Popham Airfield. On final approach, the student pilot mistakenly selected full flaps, causing the aircraft to lose height and struck the ground. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft was written off. Both occupants were uninjured.

At 1236 the flight departed Ketchikan seaplane base with a special VFR clearance and at 1240 reported clear of the control zone. The next and last transmission by the pilot was made to the company via FM radio at about 1340. This report was issued in the vicinity of Happy Harbor (passing over Kasaan Island) and was the approximate mid-point of the flight to Craig. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying southwest over Twelvemile arm toward Hollis. Upon reaching Hollis the flight would be expected to turn west and cross inland over Prince of Wales Island until reaching the west shoreline and thence directly to Craig. There was a fog bank about 2 miles prior to Hollis in Twelvemile arm and the aircraft was observed to reverse course as the weather was approached and proceed north. The aircraft was lost from sight due to trees and rapidly upsloping terrain. An increase in engine sound was heard prior to the crash. Witnesses described the clouds as essentially broken with bases at about 1,000 feet over the water and obstructing the tops of some of the higher islands. All eight occupants were killed in the crash.

The aircraft was observed flying over the strip in what appeared to be a normal downwind pattern. It crashed about 300 ft below windy ridge on the northwest face. The autopsy report indicated the pilot had a "patchy healed myocardial infarct" prior to the accident. Microscopic examination supported occlusive coronary arteriosclerosis, left coronary artery. The pilot had been under a stress program & taking medication for high blood pressure.