What happened
A Cessna A185F seaplane, registered C-GVYE, was performing a water landing in a bay near Ferguson's Cabin on the Taltson River, Northwest Territories, when the aircraft flipped. The flight, operated by Big River Air Ltd., was transporting three passengers to the cabin. During the landing phase, the left float of the aircraft dug into the water, causing the plane to cartwheel and settle in the river in an inverted position.
The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries but managed to escape the submerged wreckage through a broken window in the left cabin door. Tragically, the two rear passengers drowned. One victim was recovered from inside the aircraft, while the second was found in 55 feet of water two days later.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's impact damage, flight controls, and the pilot's experience. Investigators found that the aircraft's wing spars had failed at the fuselage attachment points due to the impact. This displacement caused the cabin door frames to be blocked, making the primary exits unusable.
While the pilot had approximately 447 hours of total flight time, the investigation noted that the aircraft was at or near its maximum gross weight, with baggage in the forward compartment likely exceeding structural limits. Additionally, the life preservers were stored in an area that was not easily accessible to the occupants, and none of the passengers were wearing them at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft likely contacted the water in a nose-low attitude, causing the left float to dig in and trigger the capsize.
- The survivors were unable to locate the interior door handles while the aircraft was inverted and submerged.
- The pre-flight safety briefing did not provide passengers with specific instructions regarding underwater egress or the challenges of exiting a submerged aircraft.
- The aircraft's impact damage physically obstructed the normal operation of the cabin doors.
- The baggage in the aircraft was not properly secured, and the weight in the forward compartment likely exceeded its rated capacity.