What happened
On the day of the accident, an aircraft was operating on behalf of the British Columbia Department of Public Works. The flight's intended mission involved traveling to inspect a bridge situated near Sooke before completing a return trip to Patricia Bay. The aircraft was carrying two people: the pilot and one passenger.
During the initial climb following takeoff, the aircraft type exhibited an unusually steep ascent, reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. During this phase, the plane began to drift and roll toward the left while maintaining a nose-high attitude. This flight path eventually led to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted a field, where a post-crash fire broke out. The impact and subsequent flames resulted in two fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash suggest that the primary factor contributing to the loss of control was pilot inexperience. The sequence of events indicates that the aircraft's inability to maintain stable flight during the climb led directly to the stall and subsequent destruction of the plane.