What happened
During daylight hours under visual meteorological conditions, a midair collision occurred between two aircraft over a lake. The first aircraft, a float-equipped De Havilland DHC-2 operating on a tour flight, collided with a Cessna 206 engaged in a personal flight.
Witness accounts of the flight paths varied. Some observers noted that the two planes were flying on a direct course toward one another prior to the impact, which took place at an altitude of approximately 700 to 800 feet above the water. Other witnesses suggested the Cessna 206 was at a lower altitude and had begun a climb before the collision occurred. Analysis of a brief video clip captured by a witness showed both aircraft appearing to be in level flight at the time of the incident.
Physical evidence from the recovered wreckage indicated that the upper fuselage of the Cessna 206 struck the floats and the lower fuselage of the De Havilland DHC-2. Due to unrecovered wreckage and a lack of sufficient evidence, the specific angle of impact could not be established.
Findings
Investigations into the collision found no evidence of mechanical failure on either aircraft prior to the event. Because neither aircraft was equipped with radar or ADS-B technology, tracking data was unavailable. The investigation concluded that the primary factor in the accident was the failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft.