Accident Overview
On an unspecified date at approximately 1100 Newfoundland daylight time, a single-engine, float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration C-GBZS, serial number 1595) was taking off from Bryants Raft Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft was destined for Charlottetown, Newfoundland and Labrador, with four passengers and the pilot on board.
During the take-off run, the aircraft did not get airborne. The pilot aborted the take-off and shut down the engine. The aircraft struck the rocky shoreline at approximately 30 mph. The floats were torn off, and the aircraft continued for about 20 feet into spruce trees and underbrush. The forward fuselage and engine cowling dug into the forest floor. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but there was no post-crash fire. All five occupants evacuated uninjured and walked a short distance to a road where they met police officers who had been alerted to the accident.
Pre-Flight and Takeoff Conditions
Before the flight, the pilot ensured there was no water in the floats. The pilot started and taxied the aircraft for approximately 10 minutes to check the aircraft and warm up the engine. The surface wind was approximately 10 knots from a direction across the pond; the pilot elected to conduct the take-off into the wind. The pilot had the option of taking off down the pond with a crosswind, which offered a longer distance.
The distance across the pond from shoreline to shoreline was approximately 2,900 feet. The available distance for take-off was somewhat less because the aircraft could not taxi in shallow water along the shoreline, and obstacles were present on the departure path.
Investigation Findings
The investigation found nothing that would explain the aircraft's lack of performance during the take-off run. The aircraft was not overweight, there was a light headwind, the engine performed as expected, and the flaps were set at the take-off setting. The required take-off distance of 1,540 feet was well within the available length of 2,900 feet, even accounting for starting a few hundred feet from the shore.
Possible considerations included water in the floats increasing weight or unaccounted weight on the aircraft. Water in forward float compartments might have added to a nose-heavy centre of gravity, making take-off more difficult. Additionally, the surface wind, estimated at 10 knots from the direction of take-off, would have been blowing over a low hill and might have caused a slight downdraft, decreasing take-off performance.
Ultimately, the aircraft failed to get airborne for undetermined reasons. The Transportation Safety Board concluded the investigation and authorized the release of this report on 23 May 2008.