What happened
On a flight from Ugly Lake to Goose Bay, Labrador, the pilot of a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, registration C-FFHF, landed on a pond approximately 70 miles north of Goose Bay to wait out worsening weather. Before the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination by the scheduled search and rescue time, the pilot had contacted another aircraft to report the landing and stated an intention to depart the pond shortly.
Seven days later, search efforts identified an oil slick and a paddle near the site. Divers subsequently located the wreckage in 120 feet of water. The aircraft was destroyed, and both the pilot and a passenger were found inside the wreckage. The passenger's seat and body were later recovered during a separate search in July 1997.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's mechanical systems. The engine and propeller were analyzed, with the engine teardown revealing no mechanical malfunctions and the engine being capable of producing power. The propeller was found to be at a low-pitch setting at the time of impact.
Analysis of the airframe showed that the right wing had separated from the fuselage due to impact forces. The wreckage damage was consistent with a high-speed impact with the water in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude. Instruments recovered from the site indicated a descent rate of at least 2,000 feet per minute and an airspeed between 100 and 110 mph.
Weather reports from the time indicated that the area was experiencing snow showers, high winds, and reduced visibility. While the aircraft was maintained according to regulations, investigators noted that the aircraft was not equipped with shoulder harnesses, which could have provided additional protection beyond the installed lap belts.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the water in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude.
- There was no evidence of mechanical failure or engine malfunction prior to the crash.
- The pilot likely attempted to depart the pond to avoid spending the night on the water, despite the presence of strong winds and snow showers.
- The pilot was likely unable to maintain visual reference with the surface due to reduced visibility, leading to a loss of control or an unsuccessful attempt to regain visual contact with the water.