What happened
On a flight operating under visual flight rules in Quebec, a de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 Mk.I (registration C-GAXL) was traveling from Lac des Quatre toward Lac Margane. The aircraft, which was equipped with floats, was carrying a total of six people, including one pilot and five passengers.
Shortly after departing, the pilot communicated a plan to perform a precautionary landing because of deteriorating weather conditions. During this maneuver, at approximately 11:17 EDT, the aircraft struck a mountain located roughly 12 nautical miles west-south-west of the southern region of Lac Péribonka. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe, and a fire subsequently broke out at the site.
Out of the six occupants on board, there were 4 fatalities and two survivors. The pilot and three passengers died in the accident, while one passenger suffered serious injuries and another sustained minor injuries. No signal was detected from the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a precautionary landing due to adverse weather conditions.