What happened
The aircraft was operating in a remote area with the specific objective of observing wildlife, specifically caribou. During this operation, the pilot initiated a descent from an altitude of 1500 feet mean sea level (MSL) down to 1300 feet MSL. At some point during this maneuver, the engine experienced a total loss of power.
Following the power failure, the pilot attempted to restart the engine while simultaneously maneuvering the aircraft toward a nearby lake intended for a forced landing. However, due to the combination of low altitude and low airspeed, the pilot was unable to successfully restart the engine or reach the designated water landing site. Consequently, the aircraft impacted a gravel bar.
The investigation
The accident occurred in a location that prevented the recovery of the aircraft and its engine for mechanical examination. As a result, no physical evidence from the airframe or powerplant was available for analysis to determine the specific mechanical cause of the failure.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were the loss of engine power during low-altitude flight operations and the inability to execute a safe forced landing due to insufficient altitude and airspeed. The remote location of the crash site further complicated recovery efforts, leaving the exact mechanical cause undetermined.