Occurrence Details
On June 21, 2019, at approximately 0140 Eastern Daylight Time, a North Star Air Ltd. Douglas DC-3C Basler Turbo Conversions TP67 (registration C-FKGL, serial number 19066) departed Fort Hope Airport (CYFH), Ontario, for Pickle Lake Airport (CYPL), Ontario. The aircraft was crewed by two flight crew members. Shortly after takeoff, both Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R engines lost power simultaneously.
Forced Landing and Evacuation
The flight crew executed a forced landing on Eabamet Lake, Ontario. After landing, the crew evacuated the aircraft via the main cabin door and swam to shore. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but no post-impact fire occurred. The accident took place during hours of darkness.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service responded to the scene and transported the crew to a nursing station for treatment. Neither flight crew member was injured. No emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, at the time of the accident, but one was received approximately four hours after the accident.
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) conducted a class 3 investigation into the occurrence. The investigation determined that the loss of engine power resulted from inadvertent movement of the fuel levers.