What happened
On 11 July 2018, a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was performing float training maneuvers at Terrington Basin, located near the Goose (Otter Creek) Seaplane Base in Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft was occupied by two pilots at the time of the incident. As the aircraft was landing, the front portion of the left float made contact with the water surface in a way that caused it to dig in. This sudden resistance triggered a sequence of events where the aircraft cartwheeled and ultimately came to rest in an inverted position.
Following the impact, one of the pilots became trapped in the rear section of the cabin. The second pilot managed to exit through the front of the aircraft and was able to assist the trapped crew member by opening the rear cargo door. Both individuals were subsequently rescued by a nearby vessel. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the accident.
The investigation
The TSB examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of control and the subsequent collision with the water. The investigation focused on the mechanics of the landing and the behavior of the floats upon contact with the water surface.