2 fatalities

Floatplane Crashes During Forest Fire Survey Flight in Quebec (C-FEYT)

Kuujjuarapik (Poste-de-la-Baleine), CanadaFlight

On September 16, 1981, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration C-FEYT) operated by Air Kipawa was involved in an aviation accident near Kuujjuarapik (Poste-de-la-Baleine), Canada in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed. However, an examination of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was running at high rpm at the time of impact. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane struck tree tops with its right float, banked left, and crashed into trees, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed. The engine was running at high rpm at impact.

Accident Overview

A single-engine airplane was completing a forest fire survey flight from Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire to Poste-de-la-Baleine (Kuujjuarapik) when it struck tree tops with its right float while flying at low height. The pilot apparently attempted a corrective maneuver, but the airplane banked left and descended into trees, crashing and bursting into flames.

Aircraft and Occupants

The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. Both occupants on board were killed.

Investigation Findings

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed. However, an examination of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was running at high revolutions per minute (rpm) at the time of impact. Additionally, it was reported that the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to function because of a depleted battery pack that was two years past its expiry date.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed. However, an examination of the propeller blades revealed that the engine was running at high rpm at the time of impact. Also, it was reported that the ELT failed to function because of a depleted battery pack which was two years past its expiry date.