On October 30, 1971, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration CF-GQU) operated by Severn Enterprises was involved in an aviation accident near Bamaji Lake, Canada during takeoff. 6 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A floatplane departing from Bamaji Lake for Dorothy Lake crashed shortly after takeoff. Witnesses reported a loud noise; only tail and float pieces were visible. No survivors among the mother and four children.
Accident Details
A floatplane departed from a bay at the northeast end of Bamaji Lake on a flight to Dorothy Lake, approximately 12 miles to the north. This was the first of two planned trips to transport a family and their supplies to the lake. The mother and four children were aboard this trip.
Witnesses at the departure point heard the engine noise and observed the aircraft disappear around a point on what appeared to be a normal takeoff. Shortly thereafter, a loud noise resembling a twelve-gauge shotgun was heard. The witnesses proceeded down the bay by boat and found a small portion of the tail and pieces of floats only, visible above the water. There were no survivors.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 30 Oct 1971 De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver accident near Bamaji Lake, Canada?
A floatplane departing from Bamaji Lake for Dorothy Lake crashed shortly after takeoff. Witnesses reported a loud noise; only tail and float pieces were visible. No survivors among the mother and four children.
Were there any fatalities in the 30 Oct 1971 De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Oct 1971 involved a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, registration CF-GQU, operated by Severn Enterprises, at Bamaji Lake, Canada.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…