De Havilland Beaver fails to rotate during takeoff in Newfoundland

Casualties unknown • Bryants Raft Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador, CA

A single-engine floatplane crashed into a rocky shoreline and trees after failing to become airborne during a takeoff attempt from Bryants Raft Pond.

What happened

At approximately 1100 Newfoundland daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, registration C-GBZS, was attempting to depart from Bryants Raft Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador, bound for Charlottetown. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to lift off the water. In response, the pilot aborted the takeoff and shut down the engine.

As the maneuver continued, the aircraft struck the rocky shoreline at roughly 30 mph. The impact tore the floats from the airframe, and the aircraft slid approximately 20 feet into nearby spruce trees and underbrush. The forward fuselage and engine cowling became embedded in the forest floor. Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, there was no fire following the impact. All five occupants evacuated the wreckage without injury and reached a nearby road where they encountered police officers.

The investigation

The investigation examined the aircraft's performance and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Prior to the flight, the pilot had verified that the floats were free of water. The aircraft underwent a 10-minute taxi and engine warm-up period. The pilot chose to take off into a 10-knot wind to utilize a shorter takeoff distance, rather than taking a longer path across the pond to avoid a crosswind. The available takeoff distance was approximately 2900 feet, though usable space was reduced by shallow water and obstacles near the shoreline.

Investigators found that the aircraft was not exceeding its weight limits, the engine was operating normally, and the flaps were correctly configured for takeoff. The required distance for takeoff was 1540 feet, which should have been easily achievable within the available space.

Findings

  • The investigation could not identify a specific mechanical reason for the failure to become airborne.
  • It remains possible that unrecorded weight or water trapped in the floats increased the aircraft's mass.
  • If water were present in the forward float compartments, it may have created a nose-heavy center of gravity, hindering rotation.
  • The 10-knot headwind may have been affected by a low hill, potentially creating a downdraft that reduced takeoff performance.

Probable cause

The aircraft failed to achieve flight during the takeoff run for undetermined reasons, though factors such as potential unrecorded weight, water in the floats, or wind-induced downdrafts were considered.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2007-06-26 de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver C-GBZS accident near Bryants Raft Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador, CA?

A single-engine floatplane crashed into a rocky shoreline and trees after failing to become airborne during a takeoff attempt from Bryants Raft Pond.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-06-26 involved a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver C-GBZS, operated by Portland Creek Aviation Limited, at Bryants Raft Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft failed to achieve flight during the takeoff run for undetermined reasons, though factors such as potential unrecorded weight, water in the floats, or wind-induced downdrafts were considered.

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