Occurrence
On a visual flight rules sightseeing flight over Tadoussac, Quebec, a de Havilland DHC-2 Mk. 1 Beaver (registration C-FKRJ, serial number 1210) operated by Air Saguenay (1980) inc. departed from its base on Lac Long at 1104 Eastern Daylight Time. The aircraft carried one pilot and five passengers for a planned 20-minute flight.
At 1127, while returning to base approximately 2.5 nautical miles north-northwest of its destination (7 nautical miles north of Tadoussac), the aircraft stalled during a steep turn. It then descended vertically and struck a rocky outcrop. The impact caused substantial damage, and the wreckage was destroyed by a post-impact fire. All six occupants sustained fatal injuries. No emergency locator transmitter signal was recorded.
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada classified this occurrence as a Class 2 investigation, indicating a complex probe involving multiple safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Such investigations often lead to safety recommendations and are typically completed within 600 days.
Safety Communications
In relation to this occurrence, the TSB issued Safety Recommendation A17-01 on 2017-09-07, recommending that the Department of Transport require all commercially operated DHC-2 aircraft in Canada to be equipped with a stall warning system.