What happened
On a flight departing from the Sandy Lake Water Aerodrome in Ontario, a float-equipped Cessna U206G was performing a local trip to a nearby lake. During the return leg of the flight, the aircraft was on its final approach to the aerodrome when it struck a communication tower located within the Sandy Lake First Nation community. Following the impact with the tower, the plane crashed into the ground and subsequently caught fire, which led to the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Local emergency responders, including the Sandy Lake First Nation Fire Department and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, attended the scene of the accident. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact with the tower and the subsequent impact with the terrain.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating as a floatplane on a local flight pattern.
- The collision occurred during the final approach phase of the landing.
- The impact with the communication tower was followed by a collision with terrain and an ensuing post-crash fire.
- The pilot, who was the only person on board, sustained fatal injuries.