On March 28, 1970, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration CF-ABA) operated by Alert Bay Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Kennedy, Canada in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot lost control of the aircraft during a steep turn in a narrow valley, leading to a collision with a tree. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A De Havilland Canada DHC-2 aircraft crashed into a tree while the pilot was conducting a search for another missing plane.
What happened
During an active mission to locate a different missing aircraft within a mountainous region, the pilot of a De Haviliand Canada DHC-2 navigated into a constricted valley at a low altitude. As the crew attempted to execute a turn to exit the narrow passage, the aircraft entered a left bank of 60 degrees. During this maneuver, the plane collided with a tall tree, resulting in a crash that ignited a fire.
Findings
The accident occurred while the aircraft was operating at low altitude within a narrow mountain valley.
The impact with vegetation occurred during a steep turn.
There were four fatalities resulting from the impact and subsequent fire.
Probable cause
The pilot lost control of the aircraft during a steep turn in a narrow valley, leading to a collision with a tree.