History of the Flight
On 07 December 1998, Air Satellite Flight 501, a Britten-Norman BN2A-26 registered C-FCVK, was scheduled to fly from Baie-Comeau, Quebec, to Rimouski. The departure was delayed five hours due to adverse weather. The crew consisted of a pilot-in-command and a co-pilot, with eight passengers on board. The aircraft took off at 1109 eastern standard time from Runway 10. The reported ceiling was 800 feet, sky obscured, visibility 0.5 statute mile in moderate snow showers.
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at about 500 feet above sea level, the pilot retracted the flaps. The aircraft pitched up suddenly and became unstable. The pilot lowered the nose and extended flaps, then decided to return to Baie-Comeau. While turning left, the aircraft rolled rapidly left and began to dive. It crashed into the St. Lawrence River approximately 0.5 nautical mile from shore and less than 1 nautical mile from the airport. The impact occurred at 1111, in less than two feet of water during a rising tide.
Injuries
Four passengers were fatally injured in the crash. Two passengers died while awaiting rescue, which arrived 98 minutes after takeoff. The co-pilot's body was carried away by the current and not recovered. The pilot-in-command and two passengers sustained serious injuries.
Damage to Aircraft
The fuselage forward of the wing was bent 20° to the right. The tail was almost broken off, attached only by control cables and about 20 cm of roof skin, bent 30° to the right. The wings and carry-through structure collapsed, crushing side panels. The floor was crushed upward with hydraulic deformation. Main landing gears tore off and were washed away. The left stabilizer was bent about 90°. The left wingtip was completely torn off; the right aileron was torn at the inboard end. Doors were not found.
Personnel Information
The pilot-in-command, aged 40, held a commercial pilot licence with 1098 total flying hours, 234 on type. He had failed his instrument rating flight test three times before passing on his fourth attempt. The co-pilot, aged 24, also held a commercial licence with 679 total hours, 68 on type. The crew was certified and qualified for the flight.