What happened
A flight departing from Fort Frances, Ontario, bound for Granite Lake, encountered deteriorating weather conditions mid-flight. While the initial departure featured good visibility under overcast skies, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and reduced visibility near Ignace. In an attempt to navigate through the worsening weather, the pilot executed several course changes; however, no suitable landing site or clear weather could be located.
During low-level maneuvering in the heavy rain, the pilot reported that the engines suffered a loss of partial power. This loss of power was attributed to carburetor icing. Despite the application of carburetor heat, the pilot could not maintain the necessary altitude or engine performance. As the aircraft struggled to remain level, it descended into a wooded area. The impact caused the aircraft to travel roughly 500 feet through the trees, resulting in the left wing being severed and an immediate post-crash fire fueled by leaking fuel.
All five occupants (the pilot and four passengers) survived the accident with minor injuries. One passenger, seated in the co-pilot position, sustained burns to the upper body. A nearby pilot from the same company discovered the wreckage approximately 15 minutes after the event and issued a Mayday call. Emergency responders arrived via helicopter, and the survivors were rescued about one hour after the crash.
Findings
- The primary factor leading to the loss of altitude was carburetor icing affecting engine power.
- Reduced visibility and heavy rain prevented the pilot from locating an alternative landing site.
- The structural failure of the left wing and subsequent fire were caused by the impact with the trees.