What happened
On 8 June 2024, a DHC-2 MK I Beaver operated by Harbour Air Limited was performing a local sightseeing flight departing from the Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome in British Columbia. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and five passengers at the time of the incident.
As the aircraft was performing its takeoff, it struck a pleasure craft that was carrying one driver and seven passengers. The impact caused substantial damage to both vessels. Following the collision, the floatplane began to submerge in the water. All occupants of the aircraft managed to evacuate the sinking plane, and first responders subsequently assisted the passengers and crew from both the aircraft and the pleasure craft to the shore.
The investigation
The TSB deployed a team of investigators to Coal Harbour to collect evidence and assess the circumstances surrounding the collision.