What happened
A private Beech UC45-J was performing a flight from an outfitter's camp situated near Swan Lake in the Yukon Territory. The flight was bound for Mayo, carrying a single pilot, two passengers, and various items including luggage and approximately 800 pounds of meat from moose and caribou.
During the takeoff roll from the gravel and clay runway, the aircraft's tail lifted as usual. However, shortly after leaving the ground, the plane began a sharp ascent that transitioned into a leftward yaw and bank. The aircraft then descended into the Pleasant Creek valley at the end of the runway in a nearly vertical, nose-down position.
An explosion and subsequent fire followed the impact. Although two individuals nearby attempted an immediate rescue operation, they found the aircraft partially underwater in the creek and burning. The crash resulted in three fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a near-vertical, nose-down attitude during the initial climb phase.