Introduction
On 30 September, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft, registered as C-FFHF, departed from a company camp at Ugly Lake, Labrador, en route to Goose Bay. The aircraft carried a pilot and one passenger, a junior geologist. The flight was intended to be a visual flight rules (VFR) trip after delivering helicopter parts.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot licence with an instrument rating endorsement and had approximately 894 hours of total flight time. He had been based in Goose Bay since June and had flown C-FFHF about 234 hours in the 90 days preceding the accident. The aircraft was privately registered to Castle Rock Exploration Corporation and was used mainly for flights between Ugly Lake and Goose Bay. It was not equipped with shoulder harnesses; only lap belts were installed.
Flight Details
After departing Goose Bay earlier, the pilot flew to Ugly Lake with a refuelling stop. The return leg began at 1427 (time zone not specified). During the flight south, the pilot communicated with other aircraft. A pilot of a single-engine Otter reported encountering snow showers and deteriorating visibility north of Goose Bay, with rough water conditions on lakes due to strong winds. C-FFHF landed on a pond 70 miles north of Goose Bay at 1620. The pilot then contacted an overflying Air Labrador flight, requesting an extension of the search and rescue (SAR) time on his flight plan, and stated he would depart the pond shortly en route to Goose Bay. The last radio transmission from C-FFHF was at approximately 1725.
Accident Site and Wreckage
When C-FFHF did not arrive at Goose Bay by the SAR time of 2030 Atlantic daylight saving time (ADT), a search was initiated. Seven days later, an oil slick and a company-named paddle were spotted on a pond about 66 nautical miles north of Goose Bay. Divers located the aircraft wreckage in 120 feet of water. The aircraft was destroyed; both the pilot and passenger were found inside their seats with seat-belts secured. The right wing had separated, and the float bows were deflected upward. The empennage initially appeared intact but separated during salvage. The passenger seat and body were lost during salvage and recovered later on 8 July 1997. Autopsy results indicated both occupants died from impact-force-related injuries; no drowning was evident.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage showed the aircraft struck the water in a nose-down, right-bank attitude with a descent rate of at least 2,000 feet per minute and an indicated airspeed between 100 and 110 mph. The flaps were extended about 28 degrees (take-off flap setting is about 39 degrees). The manifold pressure gauge indicated 28 to 31.5 inches of mercury (in. Hg). Engine teardown revealed no mechanical failure; the engine was capable of producing power. The propeller was at low pitch at impact. Weather in the area at the time included reduced visibility in snow showers and high winds.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that it is probable the pilot was unable to maintain visual reference with the surface sometime after take-off from the pond. The aircraft struck the water either during the pilot's attempt to regain visual reference or because the pilot lost control of the aircraft in reduced visibility.