What happened
On 2/28/2023, a Cessna 208B Caravan, registered C-GMVB, was performing cargo operations for Wilderness North Air. The aircraft was scheduled for two transport legs between Nakina Airport (CYQN) and Fort Hope Airport (CYFH) in Ontario. The flight was intended to be a single-pilot operation under visual flight rules, though an additional pilot accompanied the crew member as an extra passenger. After completing the first leg and returning to Nakina, the aircraft was loaded with 3,320 pounds of groceries and household goods.
The aircraft departed from Runway 27 at roughly 12:45. Shortly after takeoff, the crew communicated their position and an expected arrival time of 13:30 via radio. However, the aircraft failed to arrive at the destination as planned. Following reports from customers at Fort Hope that the cargo had not arrived, the operator notified the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre at 14:45.
Wilderness North Air initiated its own search efforts using a second aircraft, C-FUYC, conducting two separate sorties along the flight path. The JRCC also deployed search assets to the area. On March 4, 2023, the wreckage of the Cessna 208B Caravan was located approximately 30.8 nautical miles north-northwest of Nakina Airport. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and both pilots were fatally injured. No post-crash fire occurred, and it was noted that the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter had been removed for recertification.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in weather conditions that included snow showers and a subsequent snow squall that reduced visibility.
- The aircraft was not equipped with an emergency locator transmitter at the time of the accident because the unit had been removed for the purpose of recertification.