History of the Flight
At about 1013 Pacific Standard Time, a Grumman G-21A (Goose) amphibious aircraft, registration C-FPCK, operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines, departed from the water aerodrome at the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia. The aircraft carried one pilot and seven passengers on a flight to Powell River, British Columbia. Approximately 19 minutes later, the aircraft crashed in dense fog on South Thormanby Island, about halfway between Vancouver and Powell River.
Local searchers located a seriously injured passenger on the eastern shoreline of the island at about 1400. The aircraft was located about 30 minutes later on a peak near Spyglass Hill, British Columbia. The pilot and the six other passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post-crash fire. The emergency locator transmitter was destroyed and did not transmit.
Weather Conditions
The aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued at 0900 for Vancouver recorded wind 110°T at 10 knots, visibility 2½ statute miles in mist, and a ceiling at 500 feet above ground level. The automatic terminal information service (ATIS) at 1009 reported wind decreased to 8 knots and visibility decreased to 2 statute miles. The Environment Canada Weather Depiction Prognosis forecast low ceilings and visibility along the coast. The accident flight was the only fixed-wing VFR departure from the water aerodrome before 1049 that day; other operators had cancelled or delayed flights due to low visibility.
Flight Path
The pilot received authorization to depart under special VFR via the SALMON NORTH departure. About three minutes after take-off, ATC approved a right turn out of the control zone. The aircraft turned onto a track of about 308°T, then proceeded until radar coverage ended. The last communication from the pilot was at about 1021, when he advised ATC he was clear of the zone. Radar returns showed the aircraft's ground speed remained around 140 knots, and altitude was mostly 100 feet asl (87% of returns) with some at 0 or 200 feet asl; no returns above 200 feet.
Pilot Decisions
During the pre-flight briefing, the pilot advised passengers that the flight would be conducted at low altitude and that anyone concerned could deplane; no one did. The pilot likely relied on a marginal improvement in weather at Powell River and inaccurate information from Merry Island lighthouse. The investigation found no pressure from passengers or company to depart. Once airborne, the pilot likely depended on GPS navigation in absence of visual cues. As the aircraft approached Thormanby Island, the pilot probably expected to regain visual reference, but the aircraft was too close to avoid terrain.
Aircraft and Operator
The aircraft, a Grumman G-21A (serial number 1187), was operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines. Examination of maintenance records indicated it was airworthy at the time of the accident. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). The pilot had been hired to transport employees of Peter Kiewit Sons Co. to a work camp near Toba Inlet.