What happened
Shortly after departing from Jackson Bay, British Columbia, a Beechcraft D18S experienced a sudden drop in oil pressure in its left engine. This mechanical failure led to a loss of power, causing the aircraft to yaw toward the left side. As the plane made contact with the water, the force of the impact caused the left float to detach from the aircraft.
Following the loss of the float, the aircraft sank into the water in less than sixty seconds. The seven people on board, consisting of the pilot and six passengers, managed to exit the sinking plane using six available life jackets. The occupants clung to the remaining intact float until rescue arrived. All seven occupants were successfully recovered approximately thirty minutes later. During the incident, one passenger sustained a minor injury, and the entire group experienced varying degrees of hypothermia.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was a loss of oil pressure in the left engine.
- The separation of the left float was a direct result of the aircraft's impact with the water during the uncontrolled descent.