Incident Overview
A float-equipped aircraft operated by Canadian Fly-in Fishing was preparing to depart from the Chukuni River, approximately 2.2 nautical miles southeast of the Red Lake (Howey Bay) Water Aerodrome (CKS4), on a visual flight rules flight to Thicketwood Lake. At approximately 0653 local time, the aircraft departed with the pilot, 4 passengers, and cargo on board. The pilot observed winds from the south. A normal takeoff was conducted with flaps in the TAKEOFF setting and a heading of approximately 120° magnetic. The aircraft accelerated and lifted off about halfway down the waterway, approximately 2,500 feet downriver.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft gained airspeed to 80 mph, the pilot initiated a climb. Once established at about 100 feet above water, the pilot reduced engine power to 30 inches of manifold pressure at 2,000 rpm. Wing flaps were raised from TAKEOFF to CLIMB position. Shortly after, the pilot noticed the aircraft descending with airspeed decreasing to 60 mph. The pilot pushed forward on the control wheel and added full power, but airspeed did not increase. The pilot made a right turn into the wind. At approximately 80 feet above water, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall with a roll to the right. Aircraft control was lost, and at 0655 local time, the aircraft collided with the shoreline in a nose-down, banked attitude.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft was substantially damaged, but there was no post-impact fire. The emergency locator transmitter activated. All occupants were partially submerged when the aircraft came to rest. The pilot egressed through the right-side door and assisted the front-seat passenger out, while local residents assisted the other 3 passengers. Two passengers seated in the left and right back seats were seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital in Thunder Bay. One of these passengers subsequently died while in hospital. The pilot and the other 2 passengers were medically evaluated at a local hospital and released.
Probable Cause
Based on the aircraft’s configuration and the most accurate weight information available to the investigation, it was determined that, at the time of takeoff, the estimated weight of the aircraft was 334 pounds over the maximum gross take-off weight of 5,090 pounds, but within the correct centre of gravity range. The operator’s take-off weight calculation prior to the flight was 5,359 pounds, using passenger weights averaged from a group weigh-in as per the company operations manual approved by Transport Canada. The eight passengers weighed a total of 1,812 pounds; the group was split between two aircraft, four passengers each. One passenger weighed significantly more than the average and was positioned in the occurrence aircraft, resulting in an unaccounted gross weight increase.