What happened
A charter flight departed from the Seal Cove floatplane base near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, bound for Kincolith. The Grumman G21A Goose, registered as C-FUMG, was carrying one pilot and four passengers along with cargo and baggage. Shortly after departing the water, the pilot noticed irregularities in the sound of one or both engines during the takeoff and initial climb.
The pilot contacted the company dispatcher to report engine problems and intended to return to the base for assistance. During this period, the left propeller was feathered. Following this action, the aircraft rolled to the left and entered a rapid descent. The aircraft struck trees on a hillside approximately three nautical miles south of Seal Cove. The impact resulted in two fatalities, including the pilot, and three serious injuries among the passengers. A Coast Guard helicopter later located the wreckage and rescued the survivors.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine irregularities, the aircraft's handling during single-engine operations, and the loss of directional control. Investigators examined the engines and found no mechanical failures that would have prevented normal operation or necessitated feathering the propeller. While the weather conditions—specifically the temperature and dew point—were conducive to carburetor icing, no evidence of icing was found.
Regarding the aircraft's performance, the investigation noted that the Grumman G21A Goose does not meet modern certification standards. The aircraft has a narrow margin between its normal climb speed and its single-engine minimum control speed (Vmca). The investigation also looked into fuel contamination; although water was found in the fuel tanks, it could not be determined if this was due to pre-existing contamination or condensation following the crash.
Findings
- The pilot encountered engine problems during the takeoff and climb.
- Directional control was lost after the left propeller was feathered.
- The aircraft's design requires immediate pilot action to prevent airspeed from dropping below the minimum control speed when an engine fails.
- The company's procedures for checking fuel for water contamination were inadequate for detecting small amounts of contaminants.
- The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to activate because the unit was switched off.