Search for missing Lake Buccaneer ends in tragic discovery in Lac Berté

Casualties unknown • Lac Berté, Quebec, CA

A search for a missing amphibious aircraft in Quebec ended with the discovery of the wreckage and the deaths of two occupants following a high-impact water collision.

What happened

On the evening of 03 June 2010, a Lake Buccaneer LA-4-200 amphibious aircraft, registered C-GGFK, departed from Lac de la Marmotte II for a flight to Baie Comeau, Quebec. The flight, operated privately, included the pilot and one passenger. After the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination by the end of the following day, a search operation was initiated on 05 June 2010.

During the search, debris from the aircraft's right wing fuel sponson was found on the shore of Lac Berté. On 26 June 2010, a police dive team located the wreckage at a depth of 230 feet. Using a remotely operated vehicle, investigators recovered the aircraft and the occupants between 02 and 03 July 2010. The impact with the water surface was so severe that the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained two fatalities due to drowning following serious injuries.

The investigation

Investigators analyzed photos recovered from a camera belonging to the passenger. These images, taken during the flight, confirmed the aircraft was flying south towards Lac Berté during sunset, establishing the timing of the flight. The photos also indicated that weather conditions were favorable for visual flight rules, characterized by clear skies and glassy water.

Technical examination of the C-GGFK wreckage showed that all primary flight controls were intact and no pre-existing structural deficiencies were found. The landing gear and flaps were in their normal positions for cruise flight. However, the investigation could not definitively determine why the aircraft descended into the water. Two scenarios were considered: a sudden mechanical malfunction or a medical event involving either the pilot or the passenger that led to a loss of control.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck the water with forces likely exceeding design limits, causing the cabin seats to be torn from their floor attachments.
  • The lack of effective occupant restraint during the impact likely contributed to the severity of the injuries.
  • The occupants were likely rendered unconscious by the impact, preventing them from exiting the aircraft before it sank.
  • The absence of an active signal from the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was due to the device being submerged, which prevents signal transmission.
  • The weather conditions were appropriate for flight and were not a contributing factor.

Probable cause

The investigation could not conclusively determine the reason for the aircraft's descent and impact with the water, though the severity of the injuries and subsequent drowning were exacerbated by the failure of occupant restraints and the inability of the submerged ELT to transmit a signal.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-06-03 Lake Buccaneer LA-4-200 (Private), C-GGFK accident near Lac Berté, Quebec, CA?

A search for a missing amphibious aircraft in Quebec ended with the discovery of the wreckage and the deaths of two occupants following a high-impact water collision.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-06-03 involved a Lake Buccaneer LA-4-200 (Private), C-GGFK, operated by Collision with Water, at Lac Berté, Quebec, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The investigation could not conclusively determine the reason for the aircraft's descent and impact with the water, though the severity of the injuries and subsequent drowning were exacerbated by the failure of occupant restraints and the inability of the submerged ELT to transmit a signal.

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