Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Port Hardy: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GSKY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1358
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was engaged in an ambulance flight, carrying one pilot and one patient on a stretcher. Enroute, weather conditions deteriorated and the pilot encountered low ceiling and fog. He decided to reduce his altitude and attempted to land off Port Hardy. While taxiing in rough water, the nose compartments of the floats filled with water and the aircraft nosed over inverted. The patient drowned before she could be released from the stretcher while the pilot survived.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Narrows Inlet: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FTYB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
397
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising at low altitude, the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found near the Narrows Inlet and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Lac-Caché

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GUWC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
398
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lac-Caché, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the engine caught fire. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted to land on the icy lake. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine fire during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Cartwright

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-FOCG
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30
YOM:
1948
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances upon landing in Cartwright. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Poste-de-la-Baleine: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FEYT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire - Poste-de-la-Baleine
MSN:
487
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was completing a forest fire survey flight from Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire to Poste-de-la-Baleine (Kuujjuarapik). While flying at low height, the right float struck tree tops. The pilot apparently attempted to make a corrective manoeuvre when the airplane banked left then descended into trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed. However, an examination of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was running at high rpm at the time of impact. Also, it was reported that the ELT failed to function because of a depleted battery pack which was two years past its expiry date.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Ketchikan

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1981 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N31618
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Ketchikan
MSN:
858
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1671
Captain / Total hours on type:
541.00
Circumstances:
While returning to Ketchikan following a local touristic charter flight in the region, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility due to fog, he lost his orientation then the control of the float equipped aircraft that crashed, bursting into flames. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Fog,
- Visibility down to zero.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Ocean Falls: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FYYU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ocean Falls – Vancouver – Bella Bella – Klemtu – Ocean Falls
MSN:
1573
YOM:
1964
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The float-equipped aircraft departed Vancouver with a pilot and two passengers on board. The flight proceeded approximately 330 mi north to Bella Bella where one passenger deplaned. A further stop was made at Klemtu, 39 mi north of Bella Bella, where four passengers boarded for the final leg to Ocean Falls, 35 mi further east. The aircraft failed to arrive at Ocean Falls and search and rescue action was initiated. Eleven days later the aircraft was located in a bush area, 100 yards from shore, 6 mi short of Ocean Falls; all on board had perished in the crash. The flight had originated in Ocean Falls on the morning of the accident. Evidence indicates that the pilot had received less than 4 hrs rest the previous night. On arrival in Vancouver, after an approximate 3 hr and 15 min, direct nonstop flight from Ocean Falls, the aircraft’s fuel state was very low. During refuelling it was estimated the aircraft had only 4 gal of fuel remaining following the previous flight. After refuelling and emplaning of passengers, the aircraft departed for Bella Bella. The flight lasted 3 hrs. No additional fuel was added after departure from Vancouver, although a company agent queried the pilot about his fuel state prior to his departure from Bella Bella. The pilot indicated that he had enough fuel to complete the flight from Ocean Falls via Klemtu. The aircraft then proceeded to Klemtu, and was last heard from following departure from there. The aircraft’s total flight time from Vancouver to the accident scene was approximately 3 hrs and 30 min, 15 min longer than the original, direct flight from Ocean Falls to Vancouver.
Source: www.dhc-2.com
Probable cause:
Examination of the wreckage indicated that there was no preimpact damage of any kind. Damage to the aircraft was consistent with ground impact in a flat attitude with little forward velocity. No evidence of post-impact fire, or fuel was found at the crash site. The centre and rear fuel tank bays were undamaged but the forward bay had been punctured on impact. The fuel selector was found selected to the centre tank. Draining of the aircraft’s fuel system produced only 6 oz from the rear fuel tank sump. Damage to the prop indicated that it was not rotating on impact, however, examination of the engine showed that it would have been capable of producing power had fuel been available. From the evidence examined, it is concluded that while in normal cruise configuration, at a relatively low altitude, the aircraft’s engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. While proceeding down slope toward a small inlet, in an apparent attempt at a forced landing, the aircraft entered a rapid descent in a flat attitude, consistent with the stall, and impacted the ground heavily. Most probably, this apparent stall occurred as a result of an attempt to stretch the glide.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Maple Mountain: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FFHX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
60
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
20000
Circumstances:
While flying in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames on Maple Mountain, about 17 km southwest of Temagami. The pilot Bruce Elliott and three passengers were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in British Columbia

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1981 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAWA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1430
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Fraser River, while in initial climb, the engine failed due to fuel starvation. The pilot turned steeply to avoid a bridge when the airplane struck a pylon, stalled and crashed. The pilot was injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the fuel selector was connected to the rear tank that was empty at the time of the accident.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Kenai: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1981 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6473
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - East Twin Lake
MSN:
410
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2304
Captain / Total hours on type:
702.00
Circumstances:
While completing a turn at low height, the aircraft stalled and crashed near Kenai. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exercised poor judgment,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Low level turn,
- Aircraft at least 1,230 lbs over gross weight,
- CofG 5% aft of rear limits.
Final Report: