What happened
During the early morning hours of 21 June 2019, a Douglas DC-3C Basler Turbo Conversions TP67, registered as C-FKGL, was performing a flight from Fort Hope Airport (CYFH) to Pickle Lake Airport (CYPL) in Ontario. The aircraft, operated by North Star Air Ltd., was carrying two crew members at the time of the incident.
Shortly after departing from Fort Hope, both Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R engines suffered a simultaneous loss of power. Due to the loss of propulsion, the crew was forced to perform an emergency landing on Eabamet Lake, Ontario. Following the impact, the two crew members exited the aircraft through the main cabin door and swam to the shore. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage, no fire occurred after the landing. The crew members sustained no injuries during the event.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the emergency descent. Investigators noted that the accident occurred during hours of darkness. Although the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, did not receive an emergency locator transmitter signal immediately following the event, a signal was eventually detected approximately four hours later.
Findings
- The primary cause of the dual engine power loss was the inadvertent movement of fuel levers.
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage during the forced landing on the lake.