What happened
On June 10, 2024, a Cessna U206G operated by Rocking Star Adventures Ltd. was conducting a local sightseeing flight near the Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon. The aircraft, registered as C-GRSA, was carrying a pilot and five passengers when the incident occurred.
While the aircraft was on the right downwind leg of a visual approach to Runway 23 at Haines Junction Aerodrome (CYHT), the engine suffered a complete loss of power. In an attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway, the pilot executed a steep right turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered an accelerated aerodynamic stall. The plane subsequently struck the aerodrome infield in a flat-pitch attitude with the right wing low, eventually coming to rest in an inverted position. The accident resulted in one fatality and four serious injuries among the passengers, while the pilot also sustained serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the engine failure to the impact. Investigators examined the aircraft's performance during the attempted turn and the subsequent aerodynamic stall that occurred following the loss of engine power.