What happened
On a day operating under visual flight rules, a float-equipped Piper PA-18-150, registration C-FIWV, departed Tootsie Lake, British Columbia, to transport supplies and moose meat to Linda Lake. The flight was part of an air taxi operation for Scenic Air Services Ltd. After the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination, an emergency locator transmitter signal was detected. A search operation involving a chartered helicopter eventually located the wreckage on the shoreline of Linda Lake.
The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, and the pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained 1 fatal injury. Investigators noted that the aircraft struck the ground in a steep, right-wing-low attitude at a low forward speed. There was no post-impact fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's weight and balance records and found significant discrepancies. The aircraft's empty weight was under-represented in historical documents, and the actual gross weight at the time of the accident was at least 162 pounds above the maximum certified seaplane take-off weight. Additionally, the aircraft was carrying an unapproved external load of moose antlers secured to the float struts, which increased parasite drag. The cabin also contained 301 pounds of unsecured cargo, including meat and camp gear.
Mechanical examinations revealed that the right magneto p-lead was in poor condition, which may have caused a partial loss of engine power. Furthermore, the aircraft lacked a stall warning system, a deficiency that could have prevented the pilot from recognizing the impending stall. The investigation also highlighted that the company's management structure concentrated all operational, maintenance, and quality oversight responsibilities in a single individual.