Fatal aircraft accident during landing attempt at Scugog/Charlies Landing Water Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Lake Scugog, Scugog/Charlies Landing Water Aerodrome (CHS4), Ontario, CA

A private flight involving an amateur-built aircraft ended in a fatal collision with docks and a boat after the pilot attempted a go-around on glassy water.

What happened

On 18 July 2025, an amateur-built Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 equipped with amphibious floats was performing a local flight departing from Scugog/Charlies Landing Water Aerodrome, Ontario. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger.

As the aircraft approached the water for landing, the surface was in a glassy state. To maintain a sense of altitude, the pilot flew near the shoreline to use the landscape as a visual reference. Upon touching the water, the aircraft skipped across the surface. In response, the pilot aborted the landing and began a go-around procedure.

During this takeoff attempt, the aircraft experienced a nose-up pitch and drifted to the left. The aircraft struck two docks and subsequently collided with a moored pontoon boat, eventually coming to rest in an inverted position. The impact resulted in one fatality and the occupants of the aircraft were forced to exit the overturned plane with difficulty. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The investigation

The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the sequence of events leading to the collision, focusing on the aircraft's behavior during the aborted landing and the subsequent impact with the docks and boat.

Probable cause

The aircraft's nose-up pitch and leftward veer during a go-around led to a collision with docks and a moored boat, following an initial skip on glassy water.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2025-07-18 Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 (amateur-built aircraft on amphibious floats), C-FCDB accident near Lake Scugog, Scugog/Charlies Landing Water Aerodrome (CHS4), Ontario, CA?

A private flight involving an amateur-built aircraft ended in a fatal collision with docks and a boat after the pilot attempted a go-around on glassy water.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2025-07-18 involved a Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 (amateur-built aircraft on amphibious floats), C-FCDB, operated by Privately registered, at Lake Scugog, Scugog/Charlies Landing Water Aerodrome (CHS4), Ontario, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft's nose-up pitch and leftward veer during a go-around led to a collision with docks and a moored boat, following an initial skip on glassy water.

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