Fatal Seaplane Crash on Ottawa River Under Investigation

Casualties unknown • CA

A single-engine DHC-2 seaplane crashed into the Ottawa River near Gatineau, resulting in the death of the pilot during a seasonal training flight.

What happened

On a summer afternoon in Gatineau, Quebec, a DHC-2 seaplane, registration C-GJST, was performing its first flight of the season on the Ottawa River. The pilot, a highly experienced aviator with over 1,700 total flying hours, intended to complete approximately 12 touch-and-go landings under visual flight rules.

After several successful upwind landings, the aircraft was observed flying approximately 50 feet above the water, heading east. Unlike the pilot's usual procedure of landing into the wind, the aircraft was traveling with a tailwind and maintained a steep, nose-down attitude of more than 20 degrees. Shortly after, the right float struck the river surface, causing the aircraft to tumble and break apart upon impact. Although bystanders attempted a rescue, the aircraft sank rapidly. The pilot sustained fatal head injuries and drowned.

The investigation

Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's medical history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the crash. While the pilot's recent medical and toxicology reports showed no impairment, investigators noted that his last flight had occurred seven months prior, which can lead to a decline in proficiency.

Technicians inspected the engine, propeller, and airframe for signs of failure. Although six airworthiness directives had not been recorded in the technical logs during the previous annual inspection, examination of the recovered components showed no evidence of mechanical failure. Investigators also looked into the possibility of a bird strike or sudden pilot incapacitation, though no definitive evidence of a bird strike was found in the wreckage.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck the water for undetermined reasons.
  • The pilot's certificate of airworthiness was technically invalid because required airworthiness directives had not been completed.
  • The aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to alert rescuers because the device was submerged too quickly, limiting the signal range.
  • The pilot's decision-making and skills may have been affected by a seven-month hiatus from flying without recent instructor-led training.
  • The aircraft was operating in an exposed section of the river without the protection of a sheltered bay, despite windy conditions.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the aircraft striking the water remains undetermined, though investigators noted the aircraft was in an unusual nose-down attitude and tailwind approach, and that the pilot's recent period of inactivity from flying could have contributed to a degradation in skills.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-06-14 Gatineau, Quebec accident near CA?

A single-engine DHC-2 seaplane crashed into the Ottawa River near Gatineau, resulting in the death of the pilot during a seasonal training flight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-06-14 involved a Gatineau, Quebec, operated by de Havilland DHC-2 Mk 1 C-GJST, at CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause of the aircraft striking the water remains undetermined, though investigators noted the aircraft was in an unusual nose-down attitude and tailwind approach, and that the pilot's recent period of inactivity from flying could have contributed to a degradation in skills.

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