What happened
On the morning of 11 December 2015, the pilot of Wasaya Airways Limited Partnership flight 127 prepared for a cargo mission at Pickle Lake Airport (CYPL), Ontario. The mission involved the first of three scheduled trips in a Cessna 208B Caravan, registration C-FKDL, destined for Angling Lake / Wapekeka Airport (CKB6). During pre-flight preparations, a ground technician confirmed a fuel load of 6 and 600 pounds of Jet A fuel per wing, which was verified via cockpit indicators. To maximize payload for a snowmobile, the station manager had reassigned the flight's first officer, leaving the pilot to operate the aircraft solo.
After completing a walk-around inspection and engine start, the aircraft taxied from Runway 09 and departed at 0900. The pilot reported the aircraft airborne at 0901. Following the initial climb, the aircraft began a series of altitude and directional changes. While climbing eastward, the aircraft experienced a brief 100-foot descent at 3000 feet ASL. After clearing the mandatory frequency zone at 0905, the aircraft climbed to a peak altitude of approximately 4600 feet ASL. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft began a descent and executed a sharp 120-degree right turn while descending through 4000 feet ASL. At approximately 0910, the aircraft collided with trees and terrain at an elevation of 1460 feet ASL. There were no survivors reported in the crash.
Findings
- The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) with a planned altitude of 5500 feet ASL.
- The aircraft was operating as a single-pilot flight to increase available payload capacity.