1980 Air Saguenay de Havilland DHC-2 Mk.I Accident in Quebec (C-GAXL)

Accident Overview and Aircraft Details On an unspecified date in 1980, a float-equipped de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 Mk.I, registration C-GAXL and serial number 1032, was operated by Air Saguenay (1980) Inc. The aircraft was flying under visual flight rules from Lac des Quatre to Lac Margane, Quebec, with one pilot and five passengers on board. ## Sequence of Events A few minutes after take-off, the pilot reported intentions of making a precautionary landing due to adverse weather conditions. At approximately 1117 Eastern Daylight Time, the aircraft hit a mountain 12 nautical miles west-south-west of the southern part of Lac Péribonka. The aircraft was destroyed and partly consumed by a fire that broke out after the impact. ## Casualties and Emergency Response The pilot and three passengers were killed. One passenger sustained serious injuries, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. No emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received. ## Official Findings The official investigation identified the following causes and contributing factors: 1. The pilot took off in weather conditions below the minimum for visual flight rules and continued the flight in those conditions. 2. After a late decision to carry out a precautionary alighting, the pilot entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), reducing visual references to the point of leading the aircraft to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). 3. A passenger at the rear of the aircraft was not seated on a seat compliant with aeronautical standards. The passenger was ejected from the plane at the moment of impact, which diminished his chances of survival. The investigation also noted risk findings: 1. The lack of training on pilot decision-making (PDM) for air taxi operators exposes pilots and passengers to increased risk when flying in adverse weather conditions. 2. In view of the absence of an ELT signal and the operator’s delay in calling, search efforts were initiated more than 3 ½ hours after the accident. That additional time lag can influence the seriousness of injuries and the survival of the occupants.